La Vaquilla

We etched them in tin, but they all look like ghosts now
All washed out like silver, the Old Californios
They liked the look of a bend in the river
Close to Santa Rosa, and water for corn

They spent their nights in the arms of Maria
After the heat died down
Dancing to La Vaquilla down in the town
Swinging their arms all around

My father came up here from Guadalajara
Joined the King of Spain's army and married Maria
Walked from Loreta up to San Francisco
Two, maybe three months, three kids and a mule

Became an old man down in the pueblo
Ninety-nine years and one month
Left at least thirteen children
Some of whom I met only once

I remember I first heard the news from an old man
The Americanos are coming to dig for the gold
Gonna take all our land once they clean out the river
The American river, that's what they're calling it now

They spent their nights in the arms of Maria...