King of California

John Cowan

Key of F · Chords: I IV V iii vi

Verse 1

  F
I left my home and my one true love
                 Dm
East of the Ohio river.
    F
Her father said we could never wed
                          Dm
For I had neither gold or silver.

Chorus

       Am                  Bb
Oh but darling dear please shed no tear,
      F              C       Dm
for I think now it's fair to warn ya.
     Bb             F     C    Dm
Then I'll return to claim your hand
    Bb      C    F
The king of California.

Verse 2

     F
Over deserts hot and mountains cold
                         Dm
I've traveled the indian country.
F
Whispering your name o'er lonesome skies
                   Dm
Our mem'ry my only company.

Chorus

       Am                   Bb
Oh but darling dear, please have no fear
      F              C       Dm
For I think now it's fair to warn ya.
     Bb             F   C    Dm
That I'll return to win your hand
    Bb      C    F
The king of California.

Verse 3

  F
I left from Sacremento town
                      Dm
up to the Sierra gold fields.
F
Working my claim on the river bank
                              Dm
Wondering just how a rich man feels.

Chorus

       Am                   Bb
Oh but darling dear, please shed no tears.
      F              C           Dm
For I think now it's fair now to warn ya.
     Bb             F     C    Dm
That I'll return to claim your hand
    Bb      C   F
The king of California.

Verse 4

      F
Now a dead man's lying at my feet
                    Dm
He tried to take my earnings.
F
Though I recall your tender kiss
                                     Dm
Though the bullet in my chest now is burning.

Chorus

       Am                   Bb
Oh but darling dear, please shed no tears
      F              C       Dm
For I think now it's fair to warn ya.
     Bb             F     C    Dm
That I'll return to claim your hand
    Bb      C   F
The king of California.