Saddlin' southward through El Paso
Had some troubles that I had to lasso
But I was up before the dawn
Got my boots and I was gone
Them lawmen hot upon my trail
Someone forgot to pay my bail
And they're gonna hang me in the mornin' time
If I don't make it for the borderline
That posse's kicking up some dust
But my old gun aint got no rust
I'd rather die up on my horse
Than to surrender to the force
About that time one caught me in the side
Damn near knocked me off my ride
Holdin' on to mangled Grace
My insides danglin' off my face
But I was up before the dawn
Always must be movin' on
Must just be that old cowboy in me
I have got to be set free
I pulled my six guns out and shot him
I hope like hell this time I got him
I could not hang around to check
I'se gripped on tight to Grace's neck
But I was up before the dawn
Always must be movin' on
Must just be that old cowboy in me
I have got to be set free
Awakened by the black behemoth's breathin'
Cacti and mosquito, coyote desert evenin'
Miles beyond that Rio Grande
Opened like a beggars hand
Faint mirages of my señorita
Coming to me gently in the twilight of mi vida
To taste the sweet lips just once more
De Lolita mi amore
But I was dead before the dawn
Always must be movin' on
Must just be that old cowboy in me
I have got to be set free
Must just be that old cowboy in me
That walks alone in misery