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
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
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
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