you may drive an ambassador, a plymouth sundance
you might drive a rambler, or a big ambulance
you might think you're really great, the champion of the world
playing "chicken" with the guys, being cheered on by girls

but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody...yes indeed
you're gonna have to swerve, somebody
well, it may be the chevy, or it may be the ford
but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody

you might think these folks are fanatics, they should act their age
its foolish thrills that they demand, they unleash their rage
but these guys mean business, man, though it may end in grief
they may need a doctor, for some first-aid relief

but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody...yes indeed
you're gonna have to swerve, somebody
well, it may be the chevy, or it may be the ford
but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody

watch out for state troopers, they can be some real jerks
they will take you off to jail, if they catch you at work
that's what they are itching for, we think they are lame
that's why we drive to the country, to play our "chicken" games

but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody...yes indeed
you're gonna have to swerve, somebody
well, it may be the chevy, or it may be the ford
but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody

if you're a steering wheel jerker, maybe, you'll go home
if not, you may be crashing, and you could break some bones
maybe you will live on, and to god, you may give thanks
or you might even see the lord, and join up in his ranks

but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody...yes indeed
you're gonna have to swerve, somebody
well, it may be the chevy, or it may be the ford
but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody

you may need a preacher, to give you last rites
you may need the county coroner, to scrape up your hide
sometimes, it is so hard to gauge, you have to split hairs
its much more fun to witness, cause there's less danger, there

but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody...yes indeed
you're gonna have to swerve, somebody
well, it may be the chevy, or it may be the ford
but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody

might end up in a coffin, with a pillow of silk
might have to drink whiskey, to soften the guilt
the windshield just might carve you up, could slice off your head
it might roll unto the floor, if that happens, you're dead

but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody...yes indeed
you're gonna have to swerve, somebody
well, it may be the chevy, or it may be the ford
but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody

you might find it scary, if you start to shimmy
you may start a-sobbing...your eyes might get swimmy
just turn that car around, dude, haul your ass away
they can call you "chicken", man, that don't mean you have to play

but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody...yes indeed
you're gonna have to swerve, somebody
well, it may be the chevy, or it may be the ford
but, you're gonna have to swerve, somebody