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