Tom: E E Well I left Houston, Texas on a Gulf Coast hurricane. E I was blowed down by tornados, washed up by the rain. A My pappy wasn't happy with me, he told me to go. E I stole my daddy's Cadillac, I headed down the road. B7 I had a grin from ear to ear with each and every mile. A G E I’m headed for the border, man, I’m goin' down in style. [Verse 2] E Now, I hit Corpus Christi and the wind was at my back. E I drove them women crazy in my daddy's Cadillac. A I'd cruise 'em up that boulevard, treated them like queens. E I took 'em all the places that they wanted to be seen B7 And when I had to leave 'em, I'd tell 'em with a smile, A G E "I'm headed for the border, man, I'm goin' down in style." [Middle 8] A You've gotta take your chances if they ever come along. E Close your eyes and listen to the great big engine whine. A And it don't really matter whether you are right or wrong B7 ‘Cause when you cross the border, man, you leave this world behind. [Verse 3] E I stomped down on the pedal, I set the cruise control. E Five hundred ragin' horses bear on by the state patrol. A The sirens were a-screamin', lights were flashin' red. E A dozen more a-waitin' at the roadblock up ahead. B7 As I scattered them like chickens, I heard one of 'em cry, A G E "He's headed for the border, man, he's goin' down in style." [Middle 8] A Now once you cross the border, you ain't never comin' back. E And there ain't no redemption when the cops are on your tail. A The closest thing to Heaven is this great big Cadillac, B7 The city lights of Houston, or the fiery gates of Hell. [Verse 4] E They nailed me on the hill that overlooks the Rio Grande. E I was feelin' just like Moses lookin' on the Promised Land. A They hauled me back to Houston, they throwed me in the jail. E My mama started cryin', my daddy paid the bail. B7 I'm sorry I’m not there to hear the outcome of my trial A G E I'm headed for the border, man, I'm goin' down in style.