Bruce Springsteen - Highway Patrolman Lyrics






My name is Joe Roberts I work for the state
I'm a sergeant out of Perrineville barracks number 8
I always done an honest job as honest as I could
I got a brother named Franky and Franky ain't no good

Now ever since we was young kids it's been the same come down
I get a call on the short wave Franky's in trouble downtown
Well if it was any other man, I'd put him straight away
But when it's your brother sometimes you look the other way

Yeah, me and Franky laughin' and drinkin' nothin' feels better than blood on blood
Takin' turns dancin' with Maria as the band played "Night of the Johnstown Flood"
I catch him when he's strayin' like any brother would
Man turns his back on his family well he just ain't no good

Well Franky went in the army back in 1965 I got a farm deferment settled down took Maria for my wife
But them wheat prices kept on droppin' 'til it was like we were gettin' robbed
Franky came home in '68 and me I took this job

Yeah we're laughin' and drinkin' nothin' feels better than blood on blood
Takin' turns dancin' with Maria as the band played "Night of the Johnstown Flood"
I catch him when he's strayin', teach him how to walk that line
Man turns his back on his family he ain't no friend of mine

Well, the night was like any other, I got a call 'bout quarter to nine
There was trouble in a roadhouse out on the Michigan line
There was a kid lyin' on the floor lookin' bad, bleedin' hard from his head
There was a girl cryin' at a table, and it was Frank they said
Well I went out and I jumped in my car and I hit the lights
Well, I must've done 110 through Michigan County that night

It was out at the crossroads down round Willow Bank
Seen a Buick with Ohio plates behind the wheel was Frank
Well I chased him through them county roads 'til a sign said Canadian border 5 miles from here
I pulled over the side of the highway and watched his taillights disappear

Me and Franky laughin' and drinkin' nothin' feels better than blood on blood
Takin' turns dancin' with Maria as the band played "Night of the Johnstown Flood"
I catch him when he's strayin' like any brother would
Man turns his back on his family well he just ain't no good





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Bruce Springsteen Highway Patrolman Comments
  1. B.... t....

    Because everyone has a Frankie.

  2. T.... F....

    Great song.....terrible movie

  3. D.... T....

    apart that is the best, for me is also de photography,,

  4. E.... R....

    Michael Bishop from Gwar brought me here

  5. s.... ....

    104 coglionazzi hanno messo il pollice verso. meritano una fucilata in pieno petto.

  6. A.... M....

    Always thought among best by Springsteen. Still is.
    But then i found Johnny Cash version, whew!

  7. M.... D....

    So did he shoot his brother?

  8. V.... B....

    AMOOOOOO 💘 Bruce Springsteen 💘 essa linnnnnda vós

  9. V.... B....

    The Boss 💎🎸🎤 Love 💘 Love 💘 forever 💕💕💕

  10. V.... 1....

    For those who haven't seen it, Indian Runner is a very good film.

  11. T.... W....

    I live in Johnstown..... born and raised and never left....... real people......

  12. W.... P....

    Watching this or just listening to this always makes me tear up. I write songs now, and Bruce is always the bench mark, here's me attempting story telling in song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b85V2p4puw&index=2&t=0s&list=PLWehun4PmMf_00nsBZDretT5gHW_zhBeb

  13. S.... D....

    I actually fell in love with Sean Penn's 1991 directorial debut film, "The Indian Runner" before I heard this song.
    It wasn't until many years later that I actually listened to this song and put it all together.

  14. J.... M....

    Springsteen at his peak!

    J.... M....

    I agree, the story telling is exquisite. Watching this or just listening to this always makes me tear up. I write songs now, and Bruce is always the bench mark, here's me attempting story telling in song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b85V2p4puw&index=2&t=0s&list=PLWehun4PmMf_00nsBZDretT5gHW_zhBeb

  15. M.... S....

    This song has so much depth. The commitment to one's family, or the commitment to one's community. It's a tough decision. Patrolman Joe Roberts was placed into a horrible position of being forced to make this decision based on his job description. It's also one of the first songs ever written to graphically talk about a Vietnam Vet struggling w/PTSD issues. Also a song that talked how farmers were struggling at the time (Bruce writes about that issue brilliantly in the "Born In The USA" outtake "Sugarland"). I just love the way the song starts: "My name is Joe Roberts; I work for the state; I'm a sergeant out of Perrineville; Barracks Number 8; I always done an honest job; As honest as I could; I got a brother named Frankie; and Frankie ain't no good." It sounds like a guy introducing himself to you in a crowded bar and telling you his story. What's also key is the Steinbeck-like working class use of language throughout the song. It won't make the English teacher happy, but it's real.

  16. R.... ....

    I made a career of trying to keep from drowning, I still haven't learned, you can't save anyone from themselves... Will

  17. A.... M....

    Anyone who has a brother will instantly understand this song

  18. p.... ....

    Bruce Springsteen Lyrics
    "Highway Patrolman"

    'My name is Joe Roberts I work for the state
    I'm a sergeant out of Perrineville barracks number 8
    I always done an honest job as honest as I could
    I got a brother named Franky and Franky ain't no good

    Now ever since we was young kids it's been the same come down
    I get a call on the short wave Franky's in trouble downtown
    Well if it was any other man, I'd put him straight away
    But when it's your brother sometimes you look the other way

    Yeah, me and Franky laughin' and drinkin' nothin' feels better than blood on blood
    Takin' turns dancin' with Maria as the band played "Night of the Johnstown Flood"
    I catch him when he's strayin' like any brother would
    Man turns his back on his family well he just ain't no good

    Well Franky went in the army back in 1965 I got a farm deferment settled down took Maria for my wife
    But them wheat prices kept on droppin' 'til it was like we were gettin' robbed
    Franky came home in '68 and me I took this job

    Yeah we're laughin' and drinkin' nothin' feels better than blood on blood
    Takin' turns dancin' with Maria as the band played "Night of the Johnstown Flood"
    I catch him when he's strayin', teach him how to walk that line
    Man turns his back on his family he ain't no friend of mine

    Well, the night was like any other, I got a call 'bout quarter to nine
    There was trouble in a roadhouse out on the Michigan line
    There was a kid lyin' on the floor lookin' bad, bleedin' hard from his head
    There was a girl cryin' at a table, and it was Frank they said
    Well I went out and I jumped in my car and I hit the lights
    Well, I must've done 110 through Michigan County that night

    It was out at the crossroads down round Willow Bank
    Seen a Buick with Ohio plates behind the wheel was Frank
    Well I chased him through them county roads 'til a sign said Canadian border 5 miles from here
    I pulled over the side of the highway and watched his taillights disappear

    Me and Franky laughin' and drinkin' nothin' feels better than blood on blood
    Takin' turns dancin' with Maria as the band played "Night of the Johnstown Flood"
    I catch him when he's strayin' like any brother would
    Man turns his back on his family well he just ain't no good '

  19. J.... K....

    So is this a fan made music video from scenes of Sean Penn's 'Indian Runner'? Or is this an official video that Penn cut?

  20. J.... D....

    Thanks Bruce for making Frankie our problem. Signed Canada.

  21. A.... M....

    This video was directed by Sean Penn. Clips from the 1991 film The Indian Runner.

  22. M.... S....

    0:33 Well that isn't the Canadian border

  23. M.... ....

    Except the song doesn't end like that..

  24. J.... M....

    One brother took all from the other brother; took his job , his girl ; he owed him

  25. s.... f....

    Scorsese should make a movie based entirely on this album if he really wants my respect. Do you hear me, sir?

  26. M.... M....

    Bj Barham brought me here

  27. D.... ....

    the johnnys version is way better

    D.... ....

    Not really.

  28. d.... ....

    This is really good. But, I like the Johnny Cash version better than the original. Until recently, I didn't know Bruce wrote it. To me, it just sounds like a Johnny Cash song.

  29. U.... H....

    What a beautiful song written by Bruce and what a beautiful underrated film The Indian Runner is, Viggo was amazing and Valeria Golino was beautiful aswell, I have a big crush on her 😂

  30. K.... Q....

    I have a brother who died too young and this song makes me weep everytime I hear it.

  31. M.... S....

    Yep brother from another mother !!!! Cause sometimes family they just aint no good.....

  32. M.... S....

    Certian friends u are like brothers and real family dont gotta be blood to be family cause some family just aint no good

  33. M.... S....

    Sorry 2 say but in my experience true brother friendships are more to u then family some ppls family are no good

  34. C.... D....

    Found you.

    Thanx youtube.

  35. K.... T....

    OMG - Handsome Young Viggo Mortensen! Wow. Have loved this song since the album came out - have never seen this video!

  36. D.... J....

    Mads Mikkelsen could play a good Jim Morrison

  37. D.... ....

    Cash sang it better

  38. B.... C....

    great song and a very good movie

  39. J.... W....

    Johnny cash version is my fave

    J.... W....

    It's better

  40. J.... W....

    What movie are these scenes from

    J.... W....

    John Wise the Indian Runner

  41. g.... l....

    Goosebumps

  42. T.... F....

    Joe isn’t a highway patrolman.....he’s a deputy sheriff!!!!

  43. N.... S....

    Man turns his back on his family, well he just aint no good..I guess I just aint no good

  44. E.... T....

    Tolga...
    Don't blame me brother...

  45. S.... P....

    I love johnny cash version better even though he didnt write it johnny cashs version is a million times better

    S.... P....

    I love them both. They're different renditions of the same song - different artists have different styles.

  46. r.... 4....

    I think the opening scene is what actually happens and the ending of the song, is what the trooper wanted to happen.

  47. K.... K....

    I love Bruce Springsteen I listen to him all my life I think he's the best of anyone in the world is 100% in the USA God bless

  48. T.... S....

    My teacher played this today man I love it 10 out 10

  49. h.... b....

    Probably the best song ever written, this is coming from an old punk rocker, superb Mr Springsteen!!!

    h.... b....

    Derek Houston great song indeed

  50. W.... !....

    Johhny cash just puts more soul in it. Im sorry had to say it

  51. E.... 9....

    What movie is this

    E.... 9....

    "The Indian Runner" 1991 directed by Sean Penn (his first movie as director)

  52. K.... R....

    Anyone know what movie this is ?

  53. r.... ....

    The Indian Runner, check it out. It'll wipe you out

  54. J.... W....

    The dude who does the cop in this video is actually a great actor. Also: You the Man Bruce!

  55. s.... b....

    Johnny Cash version is better

  56. M.... S....

    This is still the only song I am aware of that had a storyline that was so complex that it led to the creation of a major Hollywood motion picture: "The Indian Runner" starring Dennis Hopper, Charles Bronson, Patricia Arquette, etc. and directed by Sean Penn. The film's story is this song - a highway patrolman (Joe Roberts) who is constantly having to fight the inner battle between keeping his society safe and helping his younger brother (Frankie) with PTSD who just can't put the Vietnam War behind him. Incredible.

    M.... S....

    you forget the main caracters David Morse (Joe) and Viggo Mortensen (Frankie)

  57. M.... P....

    This music viedo alone is a mini-movie with a perfect soundtrack <3

  58. R.... R....

    I heard this for the first time the other night n it hit me like a ton of bricks I got a brother like frankie 2 n I am truly my brothers keeper

  59. s.... ....

    Bruce scored his first major pop chart hit in 1980 with “Hungry Heart.” Coming off that, it would have been reasonable to expect The Boss to strike while the iron was hot and write more ear candy so that his commercial success might match his critical acclaim and his live reputation. But Springsteen always had the long game in mind even as a young man, releasing an Nebraska in 1982 that was almost defiantly anti-radio. It came down to the notion that the stories on that record, like the clash between duty and family at the heart of “Highway Patrolman,” were the ones he needed to tell to properly continue his career-long conversation with his fans.

    “I think I’d come out of a period of my own writing where I’d been writing big, sometimes operatic, and occasionally rhetorical things,” Bruce said. “I was interested in finding another way to write about those subjects, about people, another way to address what was going on around me and in the country – a more scaled-down, more personal, more restrained way of getting some of my ideas across.”

    In terms of “Highway Patrolman,” that restraint is evident in the way that Springsteen doesn’t feel the need to fill in every little detail or burden the song with exposition. His narrator, police officer Joe Roberts, is clearly a man of few words, yet what’s roiling inside of him can be detected in Springsteen’s world-weary delivery. His basic problem: He is sworn to uphold the law in his little Michigan town of Perrineville, but, as he sums it up, “I got a brother named Franky and Franky ain’t no good.”

    He then details how the scenario has played itself out over the years: Franky causes trouble, and Joe uses his position to sweep those problems under the rug. “But when it’s your brother sometimes you look the other way,” Springsteen sings, and it’s immediately clear where this stance of willful ignorance will lead. But Joe defends himself by telling nostalgic stories of happier times filled with drinking and singing; “Nothing feels better than blood on blood,” he explains. He defends his actions by falling back on family ties: “Man turns his back on his family well he just ain’t no good.”

    Springsteen takes a verse to explain how the brothers came to be in this position, which is important because the themes of poverty and people forced into suffocating circumstances run rampant throughout Nebraska. Joe tells how he attempted to farm until he could no longer make ends meet. Meanwhile Frankie spends time in the Army at a time when the Vietnam War was ramping up, so we can only assume that his own personal problems were exacerbated by his stint in the conflict.

    It all leads to the final verse, when Franky finally does the kind of damage that can’t be ignored. Joe Roberts hustles out to his vehicle and starts speeding through the streets in search of his brother. The juxtaposition in this section is fascinating, as the suspenseful, high-speed pursuit is contrasted by the staggering pace of the song. We are led to believe that Joe might finally confront his wayward brother, but Springsteen gives us a final twist: “Well I chased him through them county roads/ Till a sign said Canadian border five miles from here/ I pulled over to the side of the highway and watched his taillights disappear.”

    The ambivalence of this ending is truly haunting. Franky might be getting away for now, but it seems a given that he is headed for a bad end without his brother around to clean up his messes. And for all of his good intentions, Joe is now left to wonder if he enabled Franky with his actions. “Highway Patrolman” is about impossible choices, a story song that teaches no lessons and leaves no morals. It’s also proof that in songwriting, less can be more, especially when you’ve got a master like Bruce Springsteen deciding what to include and what the listener can figure out for themselves.

    s.... ....

    Brilliant song by, IMO, our greatest living songwriter, and insightful analysis. As great as Nebraska (1982), the album is, and it's a classic, I think I like his second acoustic record, The Ghost of Tom Joad (1995), even more. Songs like, Across the Border, are even more breathtaking, poignant, and relevant, now, 25 years after they were written.

  60. b.... f....

    sadly i have a different perceptive of this song than most. My point of view is Frankie's. My brother and I had the same fucked up Childhood but somehow we ended up way different. I got tough and hard, doing the best to protect him. I thought it would be best to move out once he got old enough.I thought my "mother" was right and I was the reason my step dad hit us and why "dad" was an alcoholic. I though the best thing to do was leave and take all the hate with me. In my defense my step dad didnt hate my brother as much as me. What a fucking shock that it wasnt my fault we had bad parents. Although they didnt make me leave him to fend for himself. Even though I swear I though it would be best for him if I left. But I made a mistake ill have to live with for the rest of my life. Im sorry bro. I was suppose to protect you and I failed. Nothings better than blood on blood. God i wish things could have been different. This song helps, break up those sleepless nights. It nice to be able to tell people alittle what happened. Maybe one of these days, Ill listen to this song and just start crying and tell my wife everything. I doubt it. The sleepless night are coming less and less frequent. Usually I only wake up two or three times a week at night. Also, how could i ever tell her what happened. What would happen if she found out what I did?

  61. T.... W....

    fantastic album

  62. M.... S....

    Is there another song in the history of rock/pop/folk music whose storyline was so complex that it led to the production of a major Hollywood motion picture?? It's funny, in his original demo tape notes of the song to Jon Landau, Bruce wasn't very confident in the song. Then again, this was a man who wasn't confident in "Because The Night"!!!

  63. F.... O....

    I didn’t realize ihat Indian runner/night walkers highway myth woz anywhere besides the west

  64. B.... T....

    I got a little brother looking at 25 to life right now. He called me the other day, needing 500$. What could I do? took a loan out against my jeep and sent the $. I'll always do anything I can for that kid.

    B.... T....

    Same here, I have 3 younger sisters, 3 adult nieces and 3 nephews, I'd do the same for any of them, just like they would, Family is all we have, and I wont turn my back.

    B.... T....

    What happened with your brother??

    B.... T....

    Brent Thornton. You're a good man. You did what you had to do for your brother. It doesn't make any difference what your brother did. Like you said what else could I do? Nothing bro. By the way I was the cop in my family. I was straight. But the moral of the story is folks don't hate family just because they're in prison.

    B.... T....

    Brent Thornton I don’t have a brother but if I did I know with out a doubt I would do the same thing. “Nothings better than blood on blood “ you’re a good brother!

    B.... T....

    #Brent Thornton that's right,most of us good people, and I'm not being weird but people that listen to this good music like this that really means something it's not just b******* on a stage like pop or something stupid or even rap crap is stupider oh, it seems we have better morals and love our family till no end, I'm happy you had a Jeep to do that for your brother and you would have come up with it somehow! You're the type of person that would be my friend.. as with everybody else here on this post

  65. D.... C....

    shit makes me so sad. I love you Tom.

  66. J.... G....

    David Foster Wallace steals a car.

  67. p.... ....

    Sean Penn should make more movies like this.

  68. a.... a....

    Esta buena canción la compuso BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN y la canto y la publico en el año 1982

  69. a.... a....

    Esta buena canción la compuso BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN y la canto en el año 1982

  70. R.... ....

    It's hard to let go of anything we love. We live in a world which teaches us to clutch. But when we clutch we're left with a fistful of ashes. — Madeline L’Engle, A Ring of Endless Light
    .
    We can't save anyone from themselves. Will

    R.... ....

    RIDETHESUNSHINE — You’re very deep👍.

  71. T.... G....

    I's Grew Up Ole' School Traditional, Native Elders, Grandparent's And My Parents. Here My Families Compassion And Humanities See The ResultsThem's And My PJ And Me's. Now Because I's Shared Bout Families And Me's And Outed Government Agency's So Families See What Our Government Is NSA Intrusion PRISM And Upstream And Justice Department After Googles+! Justice NO Be There's For My Interest's They There Protect Government Interest! See I's Last SonThat Connects Both Nicolas And John Scott, Scotland Holds Title 1st Colony And Our Families Oneness With Cherokee Families! NO Matter That's I's Terminal I's Got Executive And Press Publishing And America Government In Massive Over 400 Yrs Fraud LibelAnd Slander MyNative Families WILL See FREEDOM JUSTICE And COUNTRY My Dream.

  72. A.... M....

    Is this form a movie or original clip?

  73. A.... N....

    Love the album and song, hate the ad for 9 seconds, I guess I'm a jerk but I just don't like the ad

  74. J.... B....

    sometimes cops need to defend themselves sadly.

  75. O.... ....

    Bruces voice is amazing but I prefer johnnys timing a bit more

    O.... ....

    Oldmate I guess it’s about what you here first. See when I heard Cash’s version his timing seemed odd

  76. M.... B....

    man turns his back on his family,...he just ain't no good.
    here that #ianrohankarensic
    #badevilrottensic

  77. s.... ....

    Was this footage gleaned from a movie?

  78. D.... J....

    I echo the line quoted from hilldwler 420 below: man turns his back on his family, he just aint no good... I've used the phrase in my household before. God bless America.

  79. P.... S....

    este e o cara

  80. R.... S....

    Sometimes art really does imitate life. I've been in Joe Roberts's shoes.

  81. e.... p....

    big ✌✌✌✌✌✌✌👋👋👏👏👏👋👋👋👋👋👏👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋

  82. M.... P....

    Richard and My marriage was O.k.

  83. M.... M....

    One of the best thing ever from Bruce 👌🏻

  84. F.... M....

    nothing short of brillian

    F.... M....

    stood the test of time and like a good wine gets better with age

  85. b.... ....

    Johnny Cash adds some much needed juice to this

  86. S.... L....

    Johnny Cash does a beautiful cover

    S.... L....

    I love Cashes cover but each time i hear part "well i went down and jumped in my car, in the night hit the lights" I always have a feeling, he doesnt really know what he is singing about. He is being Cash- a saloon singer not a patrolman at this given moment. Thats why i like Pony Face cover more, its modern but equally dark just like Bruces, great for night cruising. ^^

  87. J.... M....

    LOVE YOU BRUCE~

  88. J.... M....

    LOVE YOU BRUCE~

  89. p.... ....

    NEBRASKA......a legend of an album

  90. j.... m....

    Nice, though I personally like Johnny Cash 's version more.

  91. K.... W....

    Bruce obviously didn't have an evil little brother, LOL... sometimes you have to turn your back and walk away.

  92. M.... R....

    Beautiful song! What's the name of movie?

  93. G.... H....

    This is the song that turned me into a Springsteen fan. I have now been to three of his shows and just love all his songs but this one still resonates with me.

  94. t.... ....

    The Indian Runner brought me here....

  95. s.... M....

    I am Frankie....

  96. S.... B....

    Let's start a GoFundMe to make more cool songs into feature films.

  97. L.... ....

    great song, cheesy video

  98. S.... R....

    I like it but Cash made this song perfect.