Digital Tradition Mirror

The Trail to Mexico

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The Trail to Mexico

I made up my mind to change my way
To leave the crowd that was too gay,
And leave my native home awhile
And travel west for many a mile.

It was in the merry month of May
When I started for Texas far away,
I left my darling girl behind
She said her heart was only mine.

When I embraced her in my arms
I thought she had ten thousand charms
Her caresses soft, her kisses sweet
Saying,"We'll get married next time we meet."

It was in the year of '83
That A.J. Stinson hired me
He said,"Young man, I want you to go
And follow my herd into Mexico."

Well, it was early in the year
When I volunteered to drive the steers
I can tell you boys, it was a lonesome go
As the herd rolled on toward Mexico.

When I arrived in Mexico
I longed for my girl, but I could not go
So I wrote a letter to my dear
But not a word did I ever hear.

I started back to my once-loved home
Inquired for the girl I called my own,
They said she'd married a richer life
"Therefore, cowboy, seek another wife."

"O, curse your gold and your silver, too,
O, curse the girls that don't prove true.
I'll go right back to the Rio Grande
And get me a job with a cowboy band."

She said,"Oh, buddy, stay at home
Don't be forever on the roam.
There's many a girl more true than I
So please don't go where the bullets fly."

"Yes, I know girls more true than you
And I know girls who would prove true;
But I'll go back where the bullets fly
And follow the cow trail 'til I die."

Note: Recorded by Carl T. Sprague in 1925. The anti-heroine is
     more frank than usual. RG
DT #380
Laws B13
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!