King of California - Dave Alvin

Well, I left my home and my one true love

East of the Ohio River

My father said we’d never wed

For I had me no gold nor silver

But my darling dear, please shed no tears

But I think that it’s fair to warn you

That I return to claim your hand

As the King of California

Over deserts hot and mountains cold

I traveled the Indian country

Whispering your name under lonesome skies

Remembering my only company

But my darling dear, please have no fear

For I think that it’s fair to warn you

That I return to claim your hand

As the King of California

I went up from Sacramento town

To the Sierra gold fields

And I worked my stake on a riverbank

Dreaming just how a rich man feels

Now my darling dear, listen here

For I think that it’s fair to warn you

That I return to claim your hand

As the King of California

Now, the dead man’s lying at my feet

Who tried to steal my earnings

Yet, I still recall your tender kiss

Though this bullet in my chest is burning

But my darling dear, please have no fear

For I think that it’s fair to warn you

That I return to claim your hand

As the King of California

That I return to claim your hand

As the King of California