Hands Up
Words and Music by David Rea


David Rea, my partner in crime in many concerts and projects, is the author of this rollicking good song. Inspired by Charly Russell"s "An Unscheduled Stop"- don't be afraid to sing along on the chorus.


It was out in Alamosa in the year of '83
There was one old lady, two cowboys, a shotgun guard and me
And the driver said that Big Nose George and his outlaws was about
As we came upon the hil we heard that old familiar Shout

Hands up
On the Colorado Trail
Hands up
Throw down that sack of mail
Hands up
First the men and then the women now
Turn your pockets inside out
You're going to get a trimming

The old lady ups and cries, it's 50 bucks is all she got
The old cowboy tries to calm her and he says, I'll tell you what
Put your money on the cushion right here on the coach
And I'll give you 5 dollars to pass by old George

Ah look into my eyes, it's mighty strange to tell
This old cowboy seems to know these outlaws pretty well
They had some words and Big Nose George decided to take a stroll
Up to the coach where he reaches in and takes the lady's roll

Hands up
On the Colorado Trail
Hands up
Throw down that sack of mail
Hands up
First the men and then the women now
Turn your pockets inside out
You're going to get a trimming

When those outlaws left we told that cowboy he had better tell
Before we hung him, what you said to all those men you knew so well
He said, I told old George today I was travelling rather shy
But I knew where there was fifty if he'd kindly pass me by

I've always been a gambler, Johnny Burgess is my name
My rule is 50/50 when you stick me to the game
He was tugging on his boots while he was sitting on a rock
Pulled out a thousand dollars he had hid inside his sock

Hands up
On the Colorado Trail
Hands up
Throw down that sack of mail
Hands up
First the men and then the women now
Turn your pockets inside out
You're going to get a trimming

He pulled out five hundred dollars, place it in the lady's hands
He said, you staked me to the game ma'am now you take half the grand
And the rest of us stood sheepish and each one thanked the man
That just a moment earlier we all had wanted to hang

Then a bottle came from nowhere and a toast was raised that day
We said here's to the gambler who always pays his stakes
And that lady cried and kissed him that the gamblin' man
The bottle went around once more, then we all shook ...

Hands up
On the Colorado Trail
Hands up
Throw down that sack of mail
Hands up
First the men and then the women now
Turn your pockets inside out
You're going to get a trimming

©2000 Nipissing Music, ASCAP