In a village not far from the border of old Mexico
I wandered one night for reasons that I'll never know
I guess that the thought of a woman was strong on my mind
And when there's a woman there's always danger behind

In Del Rio a town that's as cruel as can be
Del Rio Del Rio is this the last place I'll see

The town was asleep except for one lone cabaret
I ordered tequila and a song that the band would soon play
She grabbed at my coat and said that this dance would be mine
He reached for his knife and I knew that I hadn't much time

In Del Rio a town that's as cruel as can be...

[ guitar ]
I grabbed at my gun and fired as he threw his knife
My bullet went crashing and instantly took out his life
But my movement was slow and his knife went right where he threw
She's standing there laughing while I lie here unable to move

In Del Rio a town that's as cruel as can be...