I had one eye on the road, two hands on the wheel A bottle of mescal by my side, I'd already cracked the seal It was nine o'clock in the morning when we crossed that state line I said, 'Hello' to New Mexico, left Texas far behind I'm headin' out west where that wild wind blows I traded in my troubles for the freedom of the road I left a girl in Lubbock, Lord, I didn't even packed I'm headed for that promised land, I'm never coming back I picked up a passenger just this side of Hobbs Said his was going down to Carlsbad to find himself a job He asked me where I was going and why my eyes were red I took another swig of mescal and I turned to him and said About ten miles down the road that stranger changed his mind Said he'd rather walk alone than take a chance with his life I pulled off of the highway and he made his retreat I threw an empty bottle of mescal on the gravel at his feet Just this side of Carlsbad I passed out and rolled my jeep I told the cop there on the scene I simply fell asleep Then from out of nowhere that stranger appeared again He was walking towards the cop with an empty bottle of mescal in his hand