The Gringo’s Tale

Begging your pardon there, stranger
You look like you're new to this town
We're a long way away from the beach here
You won't see many gringos around

Well I come from West Colorado
And I've wandered this world far and wide
I've lived for some years in the shadows
And my eyes are unused to this light

If you buy me a strong drink of whiskey
I will tell you the tale of my life
It's long and it's sad, but it fits me
And it may bring a tear to your eye

All the men of my family were soldiers
The hard-fighting, straight-talking kind
When my turn came, all that was over
But I'd already made up my mind

I was there when we blew through Grenada
And I still have to ask myself why
Then we took down that fool Noriega
That's where I caught the good colonel's eye

Well he asked me if I loved my country
And before I had time to reply
He regaled me with tales of past glories
And I believed every one of his lies

So I left my old life behind me
Turned my back on my family and friends
And I did everything that they asked me
And I lost some sleep now and again

And I lived like a thief and assassin
I smuggled the poison sometimes
Until I asked the wrong question in passing
And the colonel himself dropped the dime

If you're ever in west Colorado
Tell the folks in Durango goodbye
There's a price on my head and I can't go
So I'll just wait around here until I die