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.
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sj
