Rollin' out to Vegas 
On an eastbound outta L.A.
I met a roughneck man who hailed from Alabama
His eyes had a lot to say 
And his name was Rufus Champion 

They call that train the desert wind
And it blew like a mutha that day 
Thru the Joshua Trees 
We were battin' the breeze
About our rock'n roll heros 
Dead or alive 

Out across that night did we sail
Bone against steel against the rail 
Boats against the stream 
Cutting against the grain 
Kept on rollin' 
Bone against steel 

As the moon rose in the window
Rufus began his tale 
About an oil rig near the gulf coast
Puttin' man against metal 
In a classic work-place accident
He told how the drill commenced to shakin' 
The platform started to rock 
The chain began breaking 
They were straight out of luck
And then the sky kinda lite up 
Just like a lightnin' bolt had struck 

Workmen's compensation don't compensate for much
With the doctors and lawyers and the IRS and such 
You can break up the bone 
But the spirit just won't bust
When is bone against steel 

With casino lights up a shimmering
We made that Vegas stop 
And we laughed away our blues
Now here's the good news 
Rufus walks off heels a kickin'
With his baby right by his side 
And as they waltzed on out of view 
We were back up to speed 
And clean outta sight 

[Double chorus]