The Border

I work on the border I see what I see I work on the border and it's workin' on me I lie awake at night knowing what I know There's a price on the head of every border patrol Where the smugglers do business that's where I make a stand I know this old desert like the back of my hand I see greed in the bushes I see snakes in the dark. Some are friends of my brother's can't you hear them dogs bark I come home to Maria at the end of that day in the shape of a shadow Holding demons at bay it's just the border they say It was Mexican soldiers out of a black Humvee With their guns to their shoulders aimed at my partner and me Ah they drove away laughing but the message was clear We don't care about nothing but the money down here I come home to Maria in a bulletproof vest With the weight of the whole wide world bearing down on my chest It's just the border I guess From the shack's and the shanty's come the hungry and poor Some to drown at the crossing some to suffer no more I guess you heard about Campos and Ramien Both of them friends of mine both good men They did one right thing and look what they got Federal prison where they're both gonna rot I come home to Maria where else would I go Across the river to die by myself. Down in old Mexico It's just the border you know --- The Border - Rodney Crowell