The Girls From Texas

Ry Cooder · Other Songs - Ry Cooder

Well, I met a girl from Texas 'bout a year ago

Hadn't known her for too long when I had to let her go

You see, she had a razor, was ten inches or so

And every night you'd hear her knocking at my door

She said, "Baby, I'll give you the clothes on my back

You can have everything that I've got in my shack

But if you ever try to leave they'll take you out in sack

'Cause me and my razor will see to that"

That's the way the girls are from Texas

That's the way the girls are from Texas

That's the way the girls are from Texas

That's the way the girls are from Texas

I thought about my situation, decided not to tarry

For my own self preservation, I decided we should marry

When the preacher started reading 'bout 'till death do us part

I told him, "Skip it, she had that understanding right from the start"

She said, "Baby, I'll give you the clothes on my back

You can have everything that I've got in my shack

But if you ever try to leave they'll take you out in sack

'Cause me and my razor will see to that"

That's the way the girls are from Texas

(Houston to San Antone)

That's the way the girls are from Texas

(Got to love 'em right or leave 'em alone)

That's the way the girls are from Texas

That's the way the girls are from Texas

Well we settled down, got me a little old job, '65 Fair lane Ford

Every Friday night I would stop in and cash my pay check

Down at the grocery store

They had a little girl worked in there, must have been about seventeen

She was the cutest thing I had ever seen

It's the same old story and I'm afraid it wasn't too very long

Before we had fallen deeply in love and I knew it was wrong

I said baby, we got to stop this thing right here

Or my woman is gonna cut my throat from ear to ear, that's right

In tearful supplication, she looked up in my face

I could feel her heart was breaking as these sad words she did say

"You should have told me you was married, baby"

She pulled out a forty-five and let me have it

Right smack between the eyes

That's the way the girls are from Texas

That's the way the girls are from Texas

She was guilty, I was dead

(That's the way the girls are from Texas)

Now, what'd you think that the old judge said?

(That's the way the girls are from Texas)

"Ah, that's just the way the girls are down here in Texas

Case dismissed!"

That's the way the girls are from Texas

(Houston to San Antone)

That's the way the girls are from Texas

(Got to love 'em right or leave 'em alone, boy)

That's the way the girls are from Texas

That's the way the girls are from Texas

The Girls From Texas

Ry Cooder's "The Girls From Texas" stands as a quintessential example of his mastery of American roots music, blending the acoustic textures of the blues with the rhythmic drive of country and folk traditions. Recorded with his signature warmth and storytelling flair, the track captures the essence of the Texas landscape and its musical heritage. Cooder, a renowned figure in the folk revival and blues revival movements, often draws upon regional histories and personal narratives to create works that resonate deeply with listeners. This recording reflects his ability to weave together diverse influences into a cohesive and evocative piece, highlighting the enduring appeal of traditional American songwriting. The song serves as a testament to his career's focus on preserving and celebrating the cultural sounds of the American South.