Capo on 2 C F The south coast of Texas, that's a thin slice of life G C It's salty and hard, it is stern as a knife F Where the wind is for blowin' up, hurricanes for showin' G C Snakes how to swim and trees how to lean F And the shrimpers and their ladies are out in the beer joints C G Drinkin' 'em down for they sail with the dawn F They're bound for the Mexican bay of Campeche C G C And the deck hands are singin' "Adios, Jole Blon" C F There's snow birds in search of that sunshine and nightlife G C Fond of greasin' palms down the beach as they're goin' F Ah, this livin' on the edge of the waters of the world G demands The dignity of whoopin' cranes and the likes of Gilbert C Roland (Chorus) C F In the cars of my youth, how I tore through those sand dunes G C And cut up my tires on them oyster shell roads F But, nothin' lasts forever say the old men in the shipyards G Turnin' trees into shrimp boats; hell, I guess they oughta C know (Chorus)