Hold on to this letter so it don’t blow away
Or slip through your fingers
Like your last drink of water
This is all that was left me from yesterday’s pay
Tell the children the candy was a gift from their father
This place is as bad as the one we just left
And one even worse lies beyond
I carry your picture so I never forget
Sister Maria, I been gone too long

Since I crossed into Texas nothin’s gone right
Like a three-legged dog I can’t find no affection
I’m like a Mexican radio station at night
The further you travel the worse the reception
The seat of my pants may be covered in sweat
But I never done any man wrong
And I have left is one simple regret
Sister Maria, I been gone too long

I came in wearing carpet on the soles of my shoes
Leaving no certain tracks in any direction
Just another illegal that they managed to lose
Or maybe nothing at all on closer inspection

Now I’m thankful you wrote me about my young wife
If she still listens to you, you might try and warn her
Tell her god will reward her for a virtuous life
And remind her her window may be seen from the corner
I’m way beyond blaming, we all do our best
And no one sets out to do wrong
I just keep to myself and pray god does the rest
Sister Maria, I been gone too long

Now the men say the work will be drying up soon
And the minute it does then the roundups will follow
There’ll be fifty or more of us packed in a room
Shipped out today but back by tomorrow

Now I’m filled up on hot dogs and blueberry pie
And all of the promises one man can swallow
Pour me one more tequila to help me get by
Cause god only knows how it’s cold in Chicago
Take care of my children, you do what seems best
You were always the one who was strong
A prayer to the virgin, may your life be blessed
Sister Maria, I been gone too long