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The Ballad of Sammy Rodriguez
The Ballad of Sammy Rodriguez
Jefferson Berry
It was just about 9:30,
The mechanic was in the Bay.
I was smoking me a Winston
And Charge cardin' a Chevrolet.
Well, the two guys who were up next
Wore the suits that were official green:
One name tag read Malenkov
The other O'Flarrity.
Well they had to ask for Sammy,
I thought 'cause Sam's the Man that can
Hear there motors knockin'
Or Squeaking with the fan.
Sammy Rodriguez knew more about cars
Than anyone I've ever known
'Til one day the boys in the green LTD
Came 'round to take ol' Sammy home
Well, they handcuffed poor Sammy
To take him back to Mexico.
Said he had no green card,
Said he had top go.
They ducked his head as they put him in
The Back seat of their LTD.
He grinned his big gold tooth grin
And this is what he said to me.
He said, "Tell Jesus I'll be OK."
His son, Jesus, was still in school
"Tell Mr. Rick I went home sick,
You know there nothin' left for you to do."
Sammy Rodriguez knew more about cars
Than anyone I've ever known
'Til one day the boys from the I.N.S.
Came 'round to take ol' Sammy Home
Now, Sammy's got some family
Somewhere in some border town.
Brings 'em most his money
Every time he goes back down.
Southern California
Was working on that summers day.
So we punched the clock for Sammy,
So Sams could get a full days pay.
Tow truck Jerry and I left work
To get ourselves a couple brews.
In walked Sam, he'd come right back,
Ready to pay more dues.
Sammy Rodriguez knew more about cars
Than Anyone I've ever known.
And no government man gonna tell old Sam
Where he can work and make his home.
You know that,
Sammy Rodriguez knew more about cars
Than anyone I've ever known.
'Till one day the boys in the green LTD
Came 'round to take old Sammy Home.