D                           C                  G 
I had one eye on the road, two hands on the wheel 

A bottle of mescal by my side, I'd already cracked the seal 

It was nine o'clock in the morning when we crossed that state line 

I said, 'Hello' to New Mexico, left Texas far behind 
 

G                               D             C 
I'm headin' out west where that wild wind blows 
I traded in my troubles for the freedom of the road 
I left a girl in Lubbock, Lord, I didn't even packed 
I'm headed for that promised land, I'm never coming back 
 
I picked up a passenger just this side of Hobbs 
Said his was going down to Carlsbad to find himself a job 
He asked me where I was going and why my eyes were red 
I took another swig of mescal and I turned to him and said 
 
Chorus 
 
About ten miles down the road that stranger changed his mind 
Said he'd rather walk alone than take a chance with his life 
I pulled off of the highway and he made his retreat 
I threw an empty bottle of mescal on the gravel at his feet 
 
Chorus 
 
Just this side of Carlsbad I passed out and rolled my jeep 
I told the cop there on the scene I simply fell asleep 
Then from out of nowhere that stranger appeared again 
He was walking towards the cop with an empty bottle of mescal in his hand