James McMurtry - Safe Side Lyrics






Down in Piedras Negras you gotta watch yourself
There's a whole lotta hungry people lookin to share some wealth
And when the oilfield's busted and the peso takes a dive
Stay off the side streets if you wanna come back alive
Yo no busca nada I'm just standin here
Mindin my own business, gonna get back outta here

Back to the safe side
Back to the safe side

And at the base of the barstool there's a drain in the floor
You better not go in there, if you don't know what that's for
It's no place to take your lady, she'll get the evil eye
Sizin up their prospects, sharpin up their knives

No me gusta nada, yo no queiro ver
Once I get across this river, never gonna go back there

Stayin on the safe side
Stayin on the safe side

Yo no fuma mota yo no quiero ver
Once I getacross this river, never gonna go back there

Up in San Antonio all the pretty people know
They better stay off of the west side where the black tar flows
They hide in their sheltered enclaves up around Olmos Park
They got their own policeman so they can stay out way past dark

Back down in Piedras Negras, the children play with dirt
We keep our pistols loaded so we don't get hurt
No importa a nadie, it's always been that way
Never gonna get no different, long as we got our say

Stay on the safe side
Stay on the safe side

No me gusta nada, it's always been that way
Never gonna get no different long as we got our way

Stay on the safe side
Stay on the safe side
Stay on the safe side
Stay on the safe side





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James McMurtry Safe Side Comments
  1. p.... e....

    Brilliant song from 2nd album
    Chock full of awesomeness and this is a stone-cold classic
    Great post

  2. J.... V....

    that guitar solo towards the end sounds like the absolute reincarnation of Jerry Garcia.  is McMurtry using the same kind of guitar as Garcia?

  3. M.... M....

    Saw him twice.  Just him, 12 string.  2 hours.  Priceless.

  4. G.... D....

    Heard it for the first time today.  Great song.

  5. s.... m....

    I feel so safe....now!

  6. M.... G....

    God, I LOVE McMurty. What a Smart ass!!! I can see why he is considered KING of ALT-Country (Counter-Country). "At the base of the Barstool, there's a drain on the floor...you don't go in there if you don't know what that is for!!! Everytime I go to the Chicago Club or Adelitas or Club New York or the Hong Kong Club---SAFE SIDE is playing in my head!!! Drink, Fuck, run to your hotel room. Pay to get on the bus and not wait in line. And if you done 'BLUE'; Mother-fuck you---I saw her first!!!

  7. B.... ....

    Stay on the safe side

  8. R.... P....


    I discovered James with this song. The guy is a genius.
    check out wikipedia about the town's history and then see what drugs have done to them. Pretty sad.

  9. d.... ....

    nice pictures of James, oh and love this song...