Dublin Blues Lyrics
In the Chili Parlor bar
Drinkin' Mad Dog Margaritas
And not carin' where you are
But here I sit in Dublin
Just rollin' cigarettes
Holdin' back and chokin' back
The shakes with every breath
Forgive me all my faults
There's no need to forgive me
For thinkin' what I thought
I loved you from the git go
I'll love you till I die
I loved you on the Spanish steps
The day you said goodbye
Work's my middle name
If money was a reason
I would not be the same
I'll face up to the truth
I'll walk away from trouble
But I can't walk away from you
Forgive me all my faults
There's no need to forgive me
For thinkin' what I thought
I loved you from the git go
I'll love you till I die
I loved you on the Spanish steps
The day you said goodbye
I have been to Spain
I have been to proud
To come in out of the rain
I've seen the Mona Lisa too
I have heard Doc Watson
Play Columbus Stockade Blues
Forgive me all my faults
There's no need to forgive me
For thinkin' what I thought
I loved you from the git go
I'll love you till I die
I loved you on the Spanish steps
The day you said goodbye
In the Chili Parlor bar
Drinkin' Mad Dog Margaritas
And not carin' where you are
This is such a great song...the lyrics are amazing and the bare bones guitar makes them stick out.
I would love to have a Mad Dog Margarita right now!
A reminder that not all hillbilly lost love songs are born of ignorance and simplicity. Guy Clark is brilliant.
Guy Clark is a master songwriter. This is such a wonderful poetic song.
Friends, I was surprised to see "in a chilly parlor bar" as I read the lyrics. Those outside of Austin, TX might not be aware of The Texas Chili Parlor, an old Austin restaurant that's been around at least since the early 70ies, if not before. There are no "chilly parlor bars" in this town- it is hot most of the time! And it doesn't make sense for the context of the song- Guy is wanting something of comfort as he wrestles with his memories! I am sure he would seek out the The Texas Chili Parlor! Course I don't know Guy personally, but culturally we are from the same place.
this is the song that is my childhood
The lyrics "I have been in Fort Worth, and I have been in Spain" etc. are funny but meaningful. It's like he's saying "I've been around, i'm not unsophisticated, but still a Texas good ol' boy deep down". The whole song is like a declaration of who he is to his lover. "I acknowledge my faults, and know I'm difficult, but it's all part of who I am".