Just across the rio grande

The lights of Laredo dance on the water
And shine in a young man's eyes.
Who stand on the border and dreams of paradise.
He's heard crazy stories of how people live over in the promised land.
He heard they eat three meals a day, just across the Rio Grande.
He's got a wife named Maria, and a baby
Named Rose, and another one to feed on the way.
Two willing hands, that couldn't find work today.
He stares at the river and curses the future,
That he can't understand.
He knows the child would have a chance, just
Across the Rio Grande.

[Chorus]
It's only a river,
That's not so deep or wide.
A boy can throw a stone across and
Reach the other side. It's just some
Muddy water, cutting through the land.
But a man can make a dream come true
Just across the Rio Grande. The lights of Laredo dance on the water and
Shine in a young man's eyes. Who stand on the
Border and dreams of paradise.
He's heard crazy stories of how good life is
Over in the promised land, and
Sometimes it seems like God must live just
Across the Rio Grande.

[Chorus]