Farewell to the lights of Madera, I'm leaving with the wind at my back Tell all of my friends in Dos Palos, I'm gone but I'll be circling back Now I'm crossing the Chowchilia River By the light of a ragged moonbeam Lord I'll miss the Rose of San Joaquin I'll miss the sun on the Sierra Nevadas, adobe moon on the rise Shining down on my love in Madera, shining into her dark Spanish eyes Oh she taught me those Mexican love songs "Volver, Volver" in my dreams And I miss the Rose of San Joaquin Caught somewhere between The road and the Rose of San Joaquin Oh her black hair fell on the blanket in the tall grass we with the dew Making love through the night by the river Oh Magdalene how my heart cries for you Alone on this highway of darkness You are the light of my dreams And I miss the Rose of San Joaquin Caught somewhere between The road and the Rose of San Joaquin