Like many American songs ostensibly about Old Mexico, this song is really about America. San Francisco’s eclectic The Waybacks, like all smart outlaws, cross the Rio Grande to hook up with like-minded Compadres in the Sierra Madre. Swinging arrangement, cowboy lyrics? Could this be Western Swing?
Here are the lyrics and chords in case you want to swing along:
Em C7 There is a place I know way down in Mexico Am B7 Em C7/B7 High in the old Sierra Madre Em C7 Where many an outlaw band from across the Rio Grande Am B7 Em Have found a haven, a holdout, a hideaway Am7 D7 G Cmaj7 But danger rides with those who stray upon their secret hideaway Am(6) D7 Em / C7 / B7 (one beat apiece) Where death is sure to welcome anyone within the law Em C7 But if a man must run from any lawman's gun Am B7 Em He'll find compadres in the old Sierra Madre Em C7 Deep in the dark of night, beside the campfire's light, Am Am B7 Em C7/B7 They weave the tales of the lies, of the bandits. Em C7 Of jewels rare and old, of coaches filled with gold, Am B7 Em Holdups pulled off like they planned it. Am7 D7 G Cmaj7 But danger rides with those who stray upon their secret hideaway Am(6) D7 Em / C7 / B7 (one beat apiece) Where death is sure to welcome anyone within the law Em C7 But if a man must run from any lawman's gun Am B7 Em He'll find compadres in the old Sierra Madre INSTRUMENTAL: Em C7 Deep in the dark of night, beside the campfire's light, Am Am B7 Em C7/B7 They weave the tales of the lies, of the bandits. Em C7 Of jewels rare and old, of coaches filled with gold, Am B7 Em Holdups pulled off like they planned it. Am7 D7 G Cmaj7 But danger rides with those who stray upon their secret hideaway Am(6) D7 Em / C7 / B7 (one beat apiece) Where death is sure to welcome anyone within the law Em C7 But if a man must run from any lawman's gun Am B7 Em He'll find compadres in the old Sierra Madre INSTRUMENTAL: Em C7 There is a place I know way down in Mexico Am B7 Em C7/B7 High in the old Sierra Madre Em C7 Where many an outlaw band from across the Rio Grande Am B7 Em Have found a haven, a holdout, a hideaway Am7 D7 G Cmaj7 But danger rides with those who stray upon their secret hideaway Am(6) D7 Em / C7 / B7 (one beat apiece) Where death is sure to welcome anyone within the law Em C7 But if a man must run from any lawman's gun Am B7 Em He'll find compadres in the old Sierra Madre Em C7 But if a man must run from any lawman's gun Am (Slowly!) B7 Em He'll find compadres in the old Sierra Madre
Lyrics and chords courtesy Country Tabs, a super website for all you pickers and grinners.
Western Swing? Why thank you for asking. Asleep at the Wheel would like you to swing (and boogie woogie) to Route 66, live from Austin: