On the southern tip of Texas

By the lazy Rio Grande

Lies a place called San Benito

Gateway to the Promised Land

From the dusty dark Depression

In that border town there came

One real soulful-soundin’ singer

With a boundless thirst for fame

So chase a shot down with a beer

Our wasted days and nights are here

Before last call just one last bender

As teardrops fall for Freddy Fender

Cool Tejano Rock ’n Roller

Dragged through hell to snag his dreams

Three hot years plowed up Angola

 Bought the brig from our Marines

So chase a shot down with a beer

Our wasted days and nights are here

Before last call just one last bender

As teardrops fall for Freddy Fender

Instrumental

His life a mix of joy and pain

Of sunny days and pourin’ rain

He tried to knock down Heaven’s door

It opened wide… he is no more

So chase a shot down with a beer

Our wasted days and nights are here

Before last call just one last bender

As teardrops fall for Freddy Fender