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