King of California

Well I left my home and my one true love East of the Ohio River Her father said we'd never wed For I had neither gold nor silver But my darlin' dear please shed no tears Oh I think that it's fair to warn ya That I'll 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 darlin' dear please have no fears For I think it's fair to warn ya That I'll 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 snake on a river bank Dreamin' just how a rich man feels Now my darlin' dear listen here For I think that it's fair to warn ya That I'll return to claim your hand As the King of California Now the dead man's lying at my feet Tried to steal my earnings And I still recall your tender kiss Oh this bullet in my chest is burning Oh my darlin' dear please shed no tear 'Cuz I think it's fair to warn ya That I'll return to claim your hand As the King of California That I'll return to claim your hand As the King of California