Original Ry Cooder version
There's a land so I've been told
Every street is paved with gold
And it's just across the borderline
And when it's time to take your turn
There's a lesson you must learn
You could lose more than you ever hoped to find
And when you reach the broken promised land
Every dream slips through your hand
Then you'll know it's too late to change your mind
'Cause you've paid the price to come this far
Just to wind up where you are
And you're still just across the borderline
Up and down the Rio Grande
A thousand footprints in the sand
Reveal a secret no one can define
The river flows on like a breath
In between our life and death
Tell me who's the next to cross the borderline
And when you reach the broken promised land
Every dream slips through your hand
And you'll know it's too late to change your mind
'Cause you've paid the price to come this far
Just to wind up where you are
And you're still just across the borderline
ACROSS THE BORDERLINE is a song written by Ry Cooder, John Hiatt, and Jim Dickinson, and originally released by Ry Cooder on his 1982 album The Border. The above lyrics are for the original Ry Cooder version of ACROSS THE BORDERLINE as released in 1982. Note that Freddy Fender sings lead vocals on this track.
Bruce Springsteen covered ACROSS THE BORDERLINE live few times in his career. See the live 27 Apr 1988 version for more details.
List of available versions of ACROSS THE BORDERLINE on this website:
ACROSS THE BORDERLINE [Live 27 Apr 1988 version]