Lyrics:

Tom Johnston

There's a town south of the border
South of El Paso they say
Where the nights are long and the winds are warm
And the women they love to play
In an old adobe tavern
Mescal flows like water
And Rita will dance on your table so fine
You are bound to place your order

I don't have to think about it
I don't have to wonder
Where I'm going to ride tonight
I'll be riding down the highway south of the border

As I ride into town and the dust settles down
And the mariachi music is playing
I buy me a room from a guy named Luis
It's just up the stairs and it's waiting
Downstairs Rita is dancing
Just the way her mother has taught her
So I settle down for the show and a beer
And wait for that mother's daughter

I don't have to think about it
I don't have to wonder
Where I'm going to ride tonight
I'll be riding

When the morning comes and I wake up
To the sounds of the people below
There's a note on my bed that is easily read
Buenos dias and a kiss when you go
As I ride out of town with my face to the sun
And the dust is trailing behind
Soon I'll go back to this sleepy old town
Back where I know I can find

I don't have to think about it
I don't have to wonder
Where I'm going to ride tonight
I'll be riding down the highway south of the border