Alligator Alley

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jim Lauderdale

Car broke down in Alligator Alley
Trying to run away from Broward County
Smoke in the sky, there's no returning
Thirty thousand acres of Everglade burning

Southern Florida, dry as tinder
Lightning turning the swamp to cinder
Standing by the roadside, thumb in the air
Brushing the ashes out of my hair

Alligator Alley, Alligator Alley
No time to sit and dally
Everglades burning, Everglades burn
Once it's gone, there's no return

Get picked up by a girl named Alice
Says she's driving clear to Dallas
With one last nod at the blazing trees
I say, drop me off in Nashville, please

She says, what about your automobile
I say, leave it for someone to steal
It don't really run so hot
The rods are gone and the brakes are shot

Alligator Alley, Alligator Alley
No time to sit and dally
Everglades burning, Everglades burn
Once it's gone, there's no return

She said, you look like Elvis Presley
I said, I know, it tends to stress me
Gives rise to undue expectations
And other such-like aggravations

Farewell alligators, snakes and spiders
Florida panthers and big black bears
Girls names Alice, Lorna and Sally
Goodbye Florida and Alligator Alley

Alligator Alley, Alligator Alley
No time to sit and dally
Everglades burning, Everglades burn
Once it's gone, there's no return

Alligator Alley, Alligator Alley
No time to sit and dally
Everglades burning, Everglades burn
Once it's gone, there's no return
Once it's gone, there's no return
Once it's gone, there's no return