This is a song off REK's first live album. He's done some decent stuff since but that was just perfection.
Good songs and just guitar bass and fiddle or mandoline. This one just stomps - if you don't believe an
acoustic bass can drive get the album and listen to the late Roy Huskey Jr just powering things along.
[Verse 1]
E
Well I left Houston, Texas on a Gulf Coast hurricane.
E
I was blowed down by tornados, washed up by the rain.
A
My pappy wasn't happy with me, he told me to go.
E
I stole my daddy's Cadillac, I headed down the road.
B7
I had a grin from ear to ear with each and every mile.
A G E
I’m headed for the border, man, I’m goin' down in style.
[Verse 2]
E
Now, I hit Corpus Christi and the wind was at my back.
E
I drove them women crazy in my daddy's Cadillac.
A
I'd cruise 'em up that boulevard, treated them like queens.
E
I took 'em all the places that they wanted to be seen
B7
And when I had to leave 'em, I'd tell 'em with a smile,
A G E
"I'm headed for the border, man, I'm goin' down in style."
[Middle 8]
A
You've gotta take your chances if they ever come along.
E
Close your eyes and listen to the great big engine whine.
A
And it don't really matter whether you are right or wrong
B7
‘Cause when you cross the border, man, you leave this world behind.
[Verse 3]
E
I stomped down on the pedal, I set the cruise control.
E
Five hundred ragin' horses bear on by the state patrol.
A
The sirens were a-screamin', lights were flashin' red.
E
A dozen more a-waitin' at the roadblock up ahead.
B7
As I scattered them like chickens, I heard one of 'em cry,
A G E
"He's headed for the border, man, he's goin' down in style."
[Middle 8]
A
Now once you cross the border, you ain't never comin' back.
E
And there ain't no redemption when the cops are on your tail.
A
The closest thing to Heaven is this great big Cadillac,
B7
The city lights of Houston, or the fiery gates of Hell.
[Verse 4]
E
They nailed me on the hill that overlooks the Rio Grande.
E
I was feelin' just like Moses lookin' on the Promised Land.
A
They hauled me back to Houston, they throwed me in the jail.
E
My mama started cryin', my daddy paid the bail.
B7
I'm sorry I’m not there to hear the outcome of my trial
A G E
I'm headed for the border, man, I'm goin' down in style.