Goin' To Acapulco
Jim James & Calexico Lyrics


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I'm going down to Rose Marie's
She never does me wrong
She puts it to me plain as day
And gives it to me for a song

It's a wicked life but what the hell
How everybody's got to eat
And I'm just the same as anyone else
When it comes to scratching for my meat

Goin' to Acapulco, goin' on the run
Goin' down to see some girl
Goin' to have some fun, yeah
Goin' to have some fun

Now whenever I get up
And can't find what I need
I just make it down to Rose Marie's
And get something quick to eat

It's not about way to make a living
And I ain't complanin' none
But I can plough my plum and drink my rum
And then go on home and have my fun

Goin' to Acapulco, goin' on the run
Goin' down to see some girl
Goin' to have some fun, yeah
Goin' to have some fun

Now, if someone offers me a joke
I just say, "No thanks"
I try to tell it like it is
And keep away from pranks

Well, other time you know when the well breaks down
I just go pump on it some
Rose Marie, she likes to go to big places
And just sit there waitin' for me to come

Goin' to Acapulco, goin' on the run
Goin' down to see some girl




Goin' to have some fun, yeah
Goin' to have some fun

Overall Meaning

This song is a bluesy, slow-tempo ballad that tells the tale of a man named who frequents a woman named Rose Marie's establishment for food and company. He describes her as someone who never does him wrong and who tells it to him straight, giving him what he needs for a song. Although he admits that life is wicked, and everybody's got to eat and scratch for their meat, he asserts that he's no different from anyone else. He's going to Acapulco, on the run, to see some girl and have some fun. Whenever he can't find what he needs, he heads down to Rose Marie's to get something quick to eat. He believes that it's not about finding a way to make a living, but rather owning the freedom to enjoy his life.


The lyrics are a commentary on living life by your own rules and not conforming to societal norms. The singer, who is probably a drifter, finds a home in Rose Marie's place and in the company of his friends. He seeks pleasure wherever he can find it and doesn't take himself too seriously. The song reinforces that life is short and hard, and that one should treat oneself well and live it according to their terms.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm going down to Rose Marie's
I am heading to Rose Marie's place.


She never does me wrong
Rose Marie never harms me.


She puts it to me plain as day
She speaks clear and straightforwardly to me.


And gives it to me for a song
And gives it to me inexpensively.


It's a wicked life but what the hell
Life might be bad, but I don't care.


How everybody's got to eat
Everyone needs to eat.


And I'm just the same as anyone else
And I'm like anyone else.


When it comes to scratching for my meat
When it comes to finding food.


Goin' to Acapulco, goin' on the run
Going to Acapulco and running away.


Goin' down to see some girl
Going to see a girl.


Goin' to have some fun, yeah
Going to have some fun.


Goin' to have some fun
Going to enjoy oneself.


Now whenever I get up
Now, when I wake up.


And can't find what I need
And can't locate what I require.


I just make it down to Rose Marie's
I go to Rose Marie's place.


And get something quick to eat
And obtain something to eat rapidly.


It's not about way to make a living
It's not a way to survive.


And I ain't complaining' none
And I'm not complaining at all.


But I can plough my plum and drink my rum
But I can work the works and have drinks.


And then go on home and have my fun
And then go back home and enjoy myself.


Now, if someone offers me a joke
Now, if somebody tells me a joke.


I just say, 'No thanks'
I only say 'no, thank you'.


I try to tell it like it is
I try to tell the truth.


And keep away from pranks
And stay away from pranks.


Well, other time you know when the well breaks down
At other times when the well fails.


I just go pump on it some
I just go and pump it.


Rose Marie, she likes to go to big places
Rose Marie enjoys going to fancy places.


And just sit there waitin' for me to come
And just sits there waiting for me to arrive.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, AUDIAM, INC
Written by: BOB DYLAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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