Mexicali Blues

Layin' back in an old saloon with a peso in my hand Watchin' flies and children on the street And I catch a glimpse of black-eyed girls who giggle when I smile There's a little boy who wants to shine my feet And it's three days ride from Bakersfield and I don't know why I came I guess I came to keep from payin' dues But instead I've got a bottle and a girl who's just fourteen And a damn good case of the Mexicali Blues, yeah Is there anything a man don't stand to lose When the devil wants to take it all away? Cherish well your thoughts, keep a tight grip on your booze 'Cuz thinkin' and drinkin' are all I have today. She said her name was Billie Jean; she was fresh in town I didn't know a stage line ran from hell She had raven hair, a ruffled dress, a necklace made of gold All the french perfume you'd care to smell She took me up into her room and whispered in my ear Go on my friend do anything you choose. Now I'm paying for those happy hours I spent there in her arms With a lifetime case of the Mexicali Blues, yeah. Is there anything a man don't stand to lose When the devil wants to take it all away? Cherish well your thoughts, keep a tight grip on your booze 'Cuz thinkin' and drinkin' are all I have today. Then a man rode into town; some thought he was the law Billie Jean was waiting when he came She told me he would take her if I didn't use my gun And I'd have no one but myself to blame I went down to those dusty streets; blood was on my mind I guess that stranger hadn't heard the news. "Cuz I shot first and killed him. Lord he didn't even draw. And he made me trade the gallows for the Mexicali Blues. Is there anything a man don't stand to lose When he lets a woman hold him in her hand? You just might find yourself out there on horseback in the dark Just ridin' and runnin' across those desert sands.