[Verse 1]
I still can picture him: his hands in his back pockets
He wasn't much for words, but when the wise kids made a racket he'd just have to go downtown
Throw his weight around before starting over

"Say did you hear I've got a band?
Some guys I know from L.A
We'll own the Rio Grande
I'll pay you back next Friday
You know it sure isn't big, just some cats I dig
They said they'd do the gig"

[Pre Chorus]
Oh Desperado, why don't you spend your life in Colorado?
Oh Restless Shadow, out in the blue hills you're feeling hollow

[Chorus]
Oh El Diablo, why did you spend your life in California?
I should have warned you
No place to go now but falling over

[Verse 2]
Some hands can't makе it on the run, under the gun
Not for thе younger
Oh Jack Daniels, I feel your hunger
I know you did your best, but you thought that you did not
I wish that I had known before I heard the last shot
You know, it's not a sin, that little badge of tin
Just a momento

So sad you loved in vain
My comrades lost in battle
The music wars are done from London to Seattle
We all pay to play and all our yesterdays are starting over

[Pre Chorus]
Oh Desperado, why don't you spend your life in Colorado?
Oh Restless Shadow, out on the blue hills you're feeling hollow

[Chorus]
Oh El Diablo, why did you spend your life in California?
I should have warned you
No place to go now but falling over

[Outro]
Ready to die
Now he's ready to die