Papago-go © 1986

Ron Pandy/Stefan George

Mama where we gonna go when the Papago go

For tax free cigarettes and money bingo

Oh no why can’t they say no to whiteman lingo

Mama where we gonna go when the Papago go

The real estate lawyers want to borrow land

Writing up contracts no one understands

When the lease runs out in 99 years

Will there be a Papago left around here

The real estate lawyers will tell you up front

Beauty’s not value if that’s what you want

We can move mountains in the name of growth

It’s money or culture and you can’t have both

Now they offer cash in place of firewater

But what’s it all mean for our sons and daughters

Steal a man’s money and call it a theft

But take away his pride and there’s nothing left

Rosa’s Sofa © 1984

Ron Pandy

When my friend said “Jose Go to the USA

Where everything is milk and honey”

Maria cried a tear But whispered in my ear

“Adios bring back lots of money”

I hitched a thousand rides And at the borderline

I swam across the river Rio

Now with cousin Ramon I live in Tucson

Deep in the heart of the barrio

Deep in the heart of the barrio Dancing to the mariachis

At Rosa’s Cantina Where fryin’ tortillas

Fill the air with a sweet aroma Oh mama

I miss your home cookin’ so while no one’s lookin’

I’ll slip out the back door with Rosa

Deep in the heart of the barrio

Making love on Rosa’s sofa

Pickin’ beans in the sun must be 101

My head hurts and my feet are draggin’

We work until sundown then ride back to town

Packed inside an old station wagon

So I pray oh Lord make this ’53 Ford

Keep a right on going back to Mexico

But it pulls up in the dark by a trailer park

Deep in the heart of the barrio

Spanish Cavalier © 1986

Ron Pandy /Stefan George

Desomboque village on the Mexico coastline

Right turn down a dirt road to a world left back in time

In makeshift huts of driftwood and tin

Lupita tries fighting back a tear

On a shrimp boat somewhere at sea

Sails her Spanish cavalier

Desemboque sailor my Spanish cavalier

Father of my children and husband oh so dear

Let the winds be gentle may the seas be calm

God speed you on your way to the love that’s waiting here

Only you can dry me tears my Spanish cavalier

Sweeping sand from dirt floors she has everything in place

Swings the baby’s hammock brushes flies from his face

On a barrel stove with an open roof

Lupita fries tortillas and fish

Folds her hands with her rosary

And prays God will hear her wish

Lonesome Train © 1982

Ron Pandy

I’m a lonesome train in the night

Blowing my whistle just to cry

The golden years steel rail tears

Fall like rain

Oh take me back take me back

Down those lonesome railroad tracks

Hear my engine roar All Aboard!

This lonesome train

At the railway crossing flashing lights

The cars line up both left and right

And blow their horn their memories worn

I’m past my prime

But the brakeman’s an old time friend

He can be seen every now and then

Waving his flag the railroad rag

In three quarters time

A whiskey bottle in his lap

My conductor wears his cap

Off to the side he’s marking time

Whistling a song

Just make sure my way is clear

Your trusted steed knows how to steer

Just feed me coal and watch me roll

Right on along

Resting alone in the yards

Are my sleeping and dining cars

Rusted antiques if they could speak

They’d sing the blues

The passengers I carry now

Stockyard pigs and jersey cows

But in 1905 a Sunday drive

Was a pleasure cruise

And the only time I ever failed

Why you’d have to go back all the way to ’39 when I derailed

In a blinding fog a fallen log

Threw me for a loss

Well it took 100 men I don’t know how many days to set me right

But I’ve been burning steel since that cold dark night

Like a loyal friend you can depend

On this iron hoss

I’m a lonesome train in the night

Blowing my whistle just to cry

The golden years steel rail tears

Fall like rain

Oh take me back take me back

Down those lonesome railroad tracks

Hear my engine roar All Aboard!

This lonesome train

Sally In The Alley © 1983

Ron Pandy

Don’t dilly dally with Sally in the alley

Sweet sixteen queen of the homecoming rally

Save all your kisses for the misses in the valley

But don’t dilly dally with Sally in the alley

It was Saturday night I bought a box of candy

In my Sunday suit coat I had my clorets handy

I combed back my hair one final time in the doorway

I met her mother father brother grandmother and sister

We were ready to leave her papa said hey mister

With a wild eyed look he took me aside to say:

I was cruising down the strip I was racing my motor

Her fluttering eyelashes made me a little bolder

I worked up the nerve round for the curve for lovers lane

With the radio playing sweetly and Sally breathing heavy

I said there’s more room in the back seat of my Chevy

And while she sighed through the ride

I sang this little refrain

….(save all your kisses for the misses in Mexacali)