Mexicali Blues (Grateful Dead)

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Every Time Played Lyrics

Lyrics

Laid back in an old saloon with a peso in my hand
Watchin flies and children on the swings
And I catch a glimps of black-eyed of girls who giggle when I smile
And there's a little boy, and he wants to shine my feet
Well it's three-days ride from Bakersfield and I don't know why I came
I guess I came to keep from paying dues
Well instead I've got a bottle and a girl that's just fourteen
And a damned good case of the Mexicali blues

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 boots
Cause thinking and drinking are all I have today

Well she said her name was Billie Jean, she was fresh in town
I didn't know the stageline ran from hell
She had raven hair, a ruffled dress, a necklace made of gold
And all the fresh perfume you'd care to smell
She took me up into her room, 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's worth of the Mexicali blues

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 boots
Cause thinking and drinking 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 noone but myself to blame
I went down to those dusty streets, blood was on my mind
I guess that stranger hadn't hear the news
Cause I shot first and killed him, Lord, he didn't even draw
Now I spend my lifetime running with 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 on horseback in the dark
Just ridin and runnin across those desert sands