It was originally written for the Ry Cooder-assembled soundtrack of the 1981 movie "The Border" starring Jack Nicholson, with Freddy Fender doing the lead vocal (Backstreet LP BSR 6105, also on and the soundtrack anthology "Music by Ry Cooder Warner Bros.9 45987-2 ). It circulated among a group of friends that were there at the creation, as Ry Cooder himself sang it on "Get Rhythm" (Warner Bros.7599-25639-2) and John Hiatt took his turn guesting on Falco Jimenez's "Partners" (Reprise 9 26822-2). Flaco played on or was involved with Ry's recordings, as well. I wouldn't be surprised if it made its way into the Texas Tornados' live sets, with Freddy and Flaco involved in that band.

The Nelson recoding that featured that song was one of the better ones he ever released, with a fine song selection throughout.