Jake ridin' south on the holiest day
Headin' for the Mexican border
Shotgun movin' to the rhythm of his range
Just to help him keep law and order

Sits right back just a-takin' 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

Ridin' shotgun
Runnin' over land
To the Rio Grande now

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 dancin' 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

Ridin' shotgun
Runnin' over land
To the Rio Grande now

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 dancin' to the sound of the blues
Her belly must be wobblin' right down to her shoes
It's a-groovin' on the sidewalk, just don't get too near
'Cause you're gonna get knocked over by a belly full o' beer

Ridin' shotgun
Runnin' over land
To the Rio Grande
Take the law in hand
To the Rio Grande now