Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Terry Scott Taylor
Canonical path: /terry-scott-taylor/papa-danced-on-olvera-street
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
Papa Danced On Olvera Street
Read Papa Danced On Olvera Street lyrics by Terry Scott Taylor on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Papa Danced On Olvera Street
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Across the way from Union Station
is our family's favorite stand
You can take a seat and
eat and drink,
hear the mariachi bands
L.A.'s oldest road is a market place
run by charming and kind latinos
You'll ignore faint scents of sewage
once you've tasted them taquitos
There was that day the world
seemed brighter,
the hot green sauce a little hotter
(You know you've got
a good batch
when your eyes begin to water)
And I believe God laughed
along with our
surprise at happy feet
Papa stood straight up
and did a little dance
there on old Olvera Street
Couldn't help himself
'cos the day was warm
and the company was sweet
and strangers laughed too
at the sight that
made our day complete
With his family gathered
on Father's Day,
his love ran wide and deep
and Papa said so
with his little dance down on old Olvera Street
Above us loomed Avila Adobe,
oldest house in Los Angeles
Did I really see that second sight
that nearly brought me
to my knees?
Encarnacion Abela,
Francisco The Rancher's
grieving widow
watchin Papa dance
(I swear her sad ghost smiled there
in the upper story window)
She couldn't help herself
'cos the day was warm
and the sight was oh so sweet
The crowd laughed too
at that joyous soul
who made our day complete
With his family gathered
on Father's Day
dad's love ran wide and deep
and he said so with his little dance
down on old Olvera Street
In a world that wounds us
time to time
that glimpse of grace
was so sublime
and though the Angels now live
in Anaheim,
they flew in just for a peak
at that miracle
of a fandago
down on old Olvera Street
Amd jeavem knows I love that man
he's more than half of who I am
It's the thing I'm beginning
to understand
I wish my heart had moved my feet
and I had joined my Daddy
when he danced that day
down on old Olvera Street
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Papa Danced On Olvera Street"?
Terry Scott Taylor performs "Papa Danced On Olvera Street", and this lyric page sits inside the Terry Scott Taylor catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Papa Danced On Olvera Street"?
Yes. The related section below points to A Briefing For The Ascent and Big Shot & Miniature Girl with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Terry Scott Taylor?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Terry Scott Taylor's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Papa Danced On Olvera Street yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.