One of my favorite Dave Alvin songs. I got turned on to Dave's music from John Cowan while doing a little run of shows with him some years back. This song is pretty lonesome but hopeful and uplifting at the same time.
lyrics
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
Read more: Dave Alvin - King Of California Lyrics | MetroLyrics
credits
from Another Road,
released March 8, 2016
Jesse Cobb - mandolin, vocals
Rich Moore - bass
Jorn Anderson - drums
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