U.S. Route 43 (US-43, US 43) is a north–south United States Highway that runs for 410 miles (660 km) from Mobile, Alabama, to central Tennessee. The highway's southern terminus is in Mobile, at US 90. Its northern terminus is Columbia, Tennessee, at US 31.
Between Mobile and Fayette and again from Killen to the Tennessee state line, US-43 runs concurrently with unsigned State Route 13 (SR-13). Between Fayette and Hamilton, US-43 is concurrent with unsigned SR-171. Between Hamilton and Florence, the unsigned partner for US-43 is SR-17. From its beginning in Mobile US-43 passes through the western part of Alabama. It serves as the principal route connecting Mobile and Tuscaloosa, and from Tuscaloosa to Muscle Shoals and Florence. Prior to the completion of Interstate 65 (I-65), motorists traveling from Mobile to Birmingham followed US-43 to Thomasville; from there, they followed SR-5 until its junction with US-11 near West Blocton.
Except for Mobile, Tuscaloosa, and Muscle Shoals/Florence, US-43 passes through rural areas and small towns.
My daddy came a-marchin'
Over the hill at dawn
Had to make that wage, man
That's how we got along
My daddy's life was workin'
Workin' all day long
Put food on the table
And the children sang a song
Yes, the children sang a song
My granddad's name was Pulpwood
Wore a coat of green
Took a wife in '31
Drove the big machine
My daddy load the lumber
Put it on the truck
I used to see him walkin' home
On U.S. 41
That's right, U.S. 41
Well, all my life's been workin'
Out the door and gone
Got to make that overtime
Keep us movin' on
I need a drink of water
Get out of the sun
Burnin' up to make that wage
That's right, U.S. 41
The boss man owns the business
Keeps it goin' strong
Blowin' like a hurricane
And work like nothing wrong
We got to keep on movin'
'Til the bell gone ring
Fill her up with kerosene
And let that lady sing
Whoa, now let that lady sing
His given name was Lucky
His wife's name, Annie Brown
Ran outside the law
And they chased him right on down
Lucky faced the lawman
The captain drew his gun
They put him with a sling blade
On U.S. 41
That's right, U.S. 41
Yeah, that's right
On U.S. 41
My daddy came a-marchin'
Over the hill at dawn