Laid back in an old saloon, with a peso in my hand
Watching flies and children on the street
And I catch a glimpse of black-eyed girls who giggle when I smile
Theres a little boy who wants to shine my feet
And its three days ride from Bakersfield and I dont know why I came
I guess I came to keep from paying dues
So instead Ive got a bottle and a girl whos just fourteen
And a damn good case of the Mexicali Blues, yeah
Is there anything a man dont stand to lose
When the devil wants to take it all away?
Cherish well your thoughts, and keep a tight grip on your booze
Cause thinkin and drinkin are all I have today
She said her name was Billie Jean and she was fresh in town
I didnt know a stage line ran from Hell
She had raven hair, a ruffled dress, a necklace made of gold
All the French perfume youd care to smell
She took me up into her room and whispered in my ear
Go on, my friend, do anything you choose
Now Im payin for those happy hours I spent there in her arms
With a lifetimes worth of the Mexicali Blues, yeah
Is there anything a man dont stand to lose
When the devil wants to take it all away?
Cherish well your thoughts, and keep a tight grip on your booze
Cause thinkin and drinkin are all I have today
And 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 didnt use my gun
Id have no one but myself to blame
I went down to those dusty streets, blood was on my mind
I guess that stranger hadnt heard the news
Cause I shot first and killed him, Lord, he didnt even draw
And he made me trade the gallows for the Mexicali Blues, yeah
Is there anything a man dont stand to lose
When he lets a woman hold him in her hands
You just might find yourself out there on horseback in the dark
Just riding and running across those desert sands