The Vaquero Song

My name is Juan Bedina

A vaquero once was I

Now I live in the air above the pepper trees

And where are all the cattle

That belonged to Captain Danna

They are blown away like ashes in the California

breeze

Once I roamed the foothills

And I swung the long riata

I worked the hide and tallow trade in a land I loved

I rode in wooden stirrups

And the dust raised by my ponies

Was smoke from my alter offered up to God above

Chorus:

Todovia estoyaqui I am still here

Todavia estoyaqui my soul is dancing in the moonlight

I mingle with each grain of sand

In a land that is my birthright

I am still here

Todovia estoyaqui

I am still here

Todovia estoyaqui

In the canyon An U Blanca

And the willows by the creek bank

I chased wild cattle through the live-oak trees

Cross valley, ridge and mesa

And the hills baked oh so yellow

My ponies sleek and dancing were all a man would need

CHORUS

In the fog of early mornin'

Or the misty haze at twilight

Beyond the sagging ruin of these adobe walls

You may see me in the dust

That shimmers in the half-light

Or hear me in the whisper of the grass so green and

tall

CHORUS