Tom Dooley

Tom Dooley Lyrics

The Tijuana Jail

Artists: The Kingston Trio (peak Billboard position # 12 in 1959)
Words and Music by Danny Thompson


(hoot of exultation)

We went one day about a month ago (a-ha-ha)
To have a little fu-un (a-ha) Mexico
We ended up in a gambling spot (oh yeah) a-ha-ha
Where the liquor flow-owed and the dice were hot


So here we a-are in the Tijuana Jail
Ain’t got no frie-ends to go our bail
So here we’ll sta-ay ‘cause we can’t pa-a-a-a-ay
Just send our ma-ail to the Tijuana Jail

I was shootin’ dice, rakin’ in the dough (long green)
And then I hea-ard the whistle blow
We started to run when a man in blue
Said "señor, come with me ‘cause I want you."

So here we a-are in the Tijuana Jail
Ain’t got no frie-ends to go our bail
So here we’ll sta-ay ‘cause we can’t pay
Just send our mail to the Tijuana Jail (shout)

Just five hundred dollars and they’ll set us free (shouted excitement)
I couldn’t raise a penny if ya threatened me
I know five "hunderd" don’t sound like much
But just try to find somebody to touch

So here we are in the Tijuana Jail
Ain’t got no frie-ends to go our bail
So here we’ll sta-ay ‘cause we can’t pay
Just send our mai-il to the Tijuana Jail

So here we a-are in the Tijuana Ja-a-a-a-il
Ain’t got no frie-eh-ends to go our bail
So here we’ll sta-ay ‘cause we can’t pa-ay
Just send our mai-il to the Tijuana Jail


Transcribed by Ronald E. Hontz
ronhontz@worldnet.att.net