Senior Contributing Editor Evan Lockridge, after watching too much coverage on TV about the impending government shutdown, got to thinking about the budget impasse and decided it needed its own song … sung to the music of the 1975 #1 hit by Merle Haggard, Movin’ On -- because of course, in this case, no one, especially Congress, is movin’ on.

Sittin’ Still (Wheels Ain’t Rollin)

(As sung to Movin’ On)

Wheels ain’t rollin’ wheels ain’t rollin, we’re sittin’ still

Wheels stopped rollin’, they ain’t negotiatin’

Wheels ain’t rollin’, sitting still.

The budget is the lifeline to the nation

But Congress can’t agree to make it move

Arguin’ on the Hill top, no stopin’ in sight

While we all fret and sweat about the gloom.

Passin’ budgets ain’t the priority

They’d rather hem and haw, whine and cry

No wonder the public hates em’

But it makes for good TV, even with their lies.

Wheels ain’t rollin’ wheels ain’t rollin, we sittin’ still

Wheels stopped rollin’, they ain’t negotiatin’

Wheels ain’t rollin’ sitting still.

All night I’m watchin’ the TV

From C-N-N and Fox to M-S-N-B-C

But those countdown clocks keeps tickin’

Now its midnight and we’re totally screw’d.

Passin’ budgets ain’t the priority

They’d rather hem and haw, whine and cry

No wonder the public hates em’

But it makes for good TV, even with their lies.

Wheels ain’t rollin’ wheels ain’t rollin, we sittin’ still

Wheels stopped rollin’, they ain’t negotiatin’

Wheels ain’t rollin,’ sittin' still.

For those of you who don’t remember the song, an abbreviated version was also the theme to the TV series, Movin’ On, that ran from 1974-1976; you'll find the full lyrics below the video.

Movin' On

by Merle Haggard

Big wheels rollin', big wheels rollin', movin' on

Big wheels rollin', gotta keep 'em goin'

Big wheels rollin', movin' on.

The white line is a life line to a nation

And men like Will and Sonny make it move

Livin' like a gypsy always on the go

Doin' what they best know how to do.

Jammin' gears has got to be a fever

'Cause men become addicted to the grind

It takes a special breed to be a truck drivin' man

And a steady hand to pull that load behind.

Big wheels rollin', big wheels rollin', movin' on...

Big wheels rollin' ,gotta keep 'em goin'

Big wheels rollin', movin' on.

All night country music keeps 'em goin'

And Will and Sonny keep on movin' on

A good hot cup of coffee is waitin' up ahead

And the rhythm of the highway hums along.

Jammin' gears has got to be a fever

'Cause men become addicted to the grind

It takes a special breed to be a truck drivin' man

And a steady hand to pull that load behind.

Big wheels rollin', big wheels rollin', movin' on

Big wheels rollin' ,gotta keep 'em goin'

Big wheels rollin', movin' on...

(Editor’s note: No, Evan is not quitting his day job…)