[Verse 1]
Jake riding south on the holiest day
Heading for the Mexican border
Shotgun moving to the rhythm of his range
Just to help him keep law and order
Sits right back just a-taking it easy
Drinks a shot a whiskey and it makes him mighty wheezy
He coughed hard once, he coughed hard twice
Neglecting keeping watch; Don't mind the sheriff's advice!
[Chorus]
Riding
Shotgun!
Running over land
To Rio Grande now!
[Saxophone Solo #1: Brent Carter]
[Verse 2]
Shots rang down from the rocks above
And bore Jake to his feet
His pants fell down and actin' like a clown
The bullets had him dancing to a rock 'n' roll beat
Big Jake did the Boogaloo too
Got lucky, he cried like a drunk
His aspirations ain't no more for you
And that's the way it is!
[Chorus]
Riding
Shotgun!
Running over land
To Rio Grande now!
[Guitar Solo: Alan Shacklock]
[Verse 3]
Stage got in to the center of town
And Jake gotta have himself a drink
He got to the bar and what he saw
Any self-respecting folk would hate to think
Ella May was dancing to the sound of the blues
Her belly must be wobbling right down to her shoes
It's a-grooving on the sidewalk, just don't get too near
'Cause you're gonna get knocked over by a belly full o' beer
[Chorus]
Riding
Shotgun!
Running over land
To Rio Grande
Take the law in hand
To Rio Grande now!
[Saxophone Solo #2: Brent Carter]