Subject: Lyr Req: El Camino Real From: GUEST,Sue Date: 22 Apr 06 - 01:03 AM I have been unable to find a song that I think was titled El Camino Real, about early California. Probably from the 60's, heard it on a borrowed record, don't remember the artist(s). I can only remember bits of the lyrics: ".. the message I bear... safely be hid 'neath the locks of my hair" "...our fair California, this rich golden land is the prize to be won" "... the King's Highway, El Camino Real" Any help would be very welcome... it's driving me crazy! Sue |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: El Camino Real song of early Californ From: GUEST,DonMeixner Date: 22 Apr 06 - 01:59 AM Probably the best of a bunch of mediocre songs by The New Christy Minstrels and Randy Sparks. Actually it is a very good song. The album was a bunch of songs based on American legends, historical events, and folk heroes. The Black Smith of Brandywine was another good song from the collection. Don |
Subject: Lyr Add: EL CAMINO REAL (Randy Sparks) From: Joe Offer Date: 22 Apr 06 - 04:45 AM EL CAMINO REAL (Randy Sparks) [spoken] Early California was a land of magnificent horses and unexcelled horsemanship. In the little-known struggle for Los Angeles, two giants, horse and master, rode together on the King's Highway, El Camino Real. Juan Flaco, brave soldier, I fear the tide of the battle has turned. The streets are deserted; the windows are dark where the bright candles burned. You must summon the soldiers with news of our plight, And carry the message alone through the night; And swift as the wind you will ride to the north on the King's Highway, El Camino Real. Without hesitation, he sprang to the saddle, this deed to be done. Our fair California, this rich, golden land is the prize to be won; And should I be captured, the message I bear Will safely be hid 'neath the locks of my hair; And swift as the wind I will ride to the north on the King's Highway, El Camino Real. [spoken] The deafening cackle of Mexican bullets rang through the night. Like crows to the eagle, they swept down upon him as Juan took his flight. Mortally wounded, his horse pitched and fell, And sprang up again like the phoenix from hell, And away like the wind in a new burst of speed down the King's Highway. His dying horse faltered, then plunged from the road down the brow of the hill To the edge of the cliff, where the Mexicans would now make their kill; But he hurdled the canyon, so deep and so wide, And all who dared follow, tumbled and died, Then safe to the north he rode like the wind on the King's Highway, El Camino Real. Juan cried bitter tears for the horse that had long been his friend, So gallant and noble, so faithful and true to the end. [spoken] Three bullets burned deep in the great stallion's side. Now, safe from their guns, he willingly died. With a tearful farewell, Juan laid him to rest by the King's Highway, El Camino Real. Five days he rode northward to Commodore Stockton, his message to tell. Borrowed or stolen, the horses he rode all served him well. But he swore there was never a hero so bold, And now through the moonlight the legend is told Together they ride, swift as the wind down the King's Highway, El Camino Real. transcribed by ear from The Definitive New Christy Minstrels CD, which is not a very clear recording. Originally recorded on Land of Giants, 1963 or 1964 I made that trip in my legendary red Honda a couple weeks ago. A trusty steed, indeed. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: El Camino Real song of early California From: GUEST Date: 22 Apr 06 - 02:17 PM Thank you very much! I only heard it a few times, but have remembered just bits of it for 40 years. I appreciate your efforts in transcribing it. Sue |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: El Camino Real song of early Californ From: JJ Date: 23 Apr 06 - 09:56 AM Picked this up from this site -- http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21483: In 1846, during American conquest of California, John Brown -- nicknamed Juan Flaco -- rode from Los Angeles to San Francisco in four days to warn Commodore Stockton of the siege of Los Angeles, and troops were sent to secure the city. ========== "Juan Flaco" means "Skinny John," or, more poetically, "Lean John." |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: El Camino Real song of early California From: GUEST Date: 23 Apr 06 - 12:39 PM Well, that certainly fits in, doesn't it? Thank you! Sue |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: El Camino Real (Randy Sparks) From: GUEST,El Camino Real LOVER Date: 08 Jul 10 - 12:39 PM Thanks so much! Been hunting for decades for this song. My Dad used to record 8-track tape mixes, with barely any labelling. Heard this, remembered pieces, but couldn't find it. Thanks to you - and the internet - I'll have it soon. Thanks again. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: El Camino Real (Randy Sparks) From: GUEST,Karen S. Date: 15 Jul 10 - 09:12 PM I still have the New Christy Minstrels LP that had this song. It belonged to my parents and I grew up with the songs. Maybe they seem mediocre to some, but I love them still - even the one about the Blacksmith of Brandywine, which even as a child I knew was corny. I don't know why this particular song came to mind tonight, but when I googled the song I came across this thread. You can listen to a clip on the Barnes and Noble website. Glad to know I'm not the only fan of this tune! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: El Camino Real (Randy Sparks) From: GUEST Date: 20 Jul 15 - 03:02 PM I think it starts w/ "Juan Flaco brave soldier... Refrain: On the Kings' Hiway, El Camino Real... |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: El Camino Real (Randy Sparks) From: GUEST,# Date: 20 Jul 15 - 04:32 PM https://www.justsomelyrics.com/2441263/el-camino-real-lyrics.html Don't know how this matches up with what's already posted on this thread. But there it is. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: El Camino Real (Randy Sparks) From: Jim Dixon Date: 22 Jul 15 - 12:21 AM Here's a 9-page article "Juan Flaco's Ride: An Incident in the Conquest of California" by J. M. Guinn, which was published in "Annual Publication of the Historical Society of Southern California, Vol. 9, No. 1-2" (University of California Press, 1912-13), page 19ff. By the way, I listened to the song on Spotify, and the lyrics are exactly like those that Joe Offer posted above. |
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