The Rose of the San Joaquin - Tom Russell

Farewell to the lights of Madera, I’m leaving with the wind at my back

Tell all of my friends in Dos Palos, I’m gone but I’ll be circling back

Now I’m crossing the Chowchilia River

By the light of a ragged moonbeam

Lord I’ll miss the Rose of San Joaquin

I’ll miss the sun on the Sierra Nevadas, adobe moon on the rise

Shining down on my love in Madera, shining into her dark Spanish eyes

Oh she taught me those Mexican love songs

«Volver, Volver» in my dreams

And I miss the Rose of San Joaquin

Caught somewhere between

The road and the Rose of San Joaquin

Oh her black hair fell on the blanket in the tall grass we with the dew

Making love through the night by the river

Oh Magdalene how my heart cries for you

Alone on this highway of darkness

You are the light of my dreams

And I miss the Rose of San Joaquin

Caught somewhere between

The road and the Rose of San Joaquin