desperado, why don't [bad word] to your senses
you been out ridin' fences for so long now
oh, you're a hard one
i know that you got your reasons
these things that are pleasin' you
can hurt you somehow

don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
she'll beat you if she's able
you know the queen of heats is always your best bet

now it seems to me, some fine things
have been laid upon your table
but you only want the ones that you can't get

desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no youger
your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
and freedom, oh freedom well, that's just some people talkin'
your prison is walking through this world all alone

don't your feet get cold in the winter time
the sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
it's hard to tell the night time from the day
you're loosin' all your highs and lows
ain't it funny how the feeling goes away

desperado, why don't [bad word] to your [bad word] down from your fences, open the gate
it may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
you better let somebody love you, before it's too late