San Joaquin Waltz

The San Joaquin Waltz is a beauty
She's a dance cross the valley in spring
She's oak trees and wildflowers and rich fertile soil
She's the moon flyin' high on her wings
The San Joaquin Waltz is the music
That the grape vines sway to with the wind
She's in the red wine and the sweet clementines
And the sunsets you hope never end

She's September thunder and wildfire
She's the dry empty river bed sand
Sunday morning barrooms and the ghosts of the dancehalls
She's the love you let slip through your hands
The San Joaquin Waltz is the partner
You lead but she moves on her own
When last call comes round you'll be hopin' for more
She's the song that won't let you alone

She's brandy stirred into black coffee
A card game with the old Basques downtown
Golden hill summers and rusty barbed wire
She's the coyotes out roamin' around
The San Joaquin Waltz whispers softly
She dances so sweet cross your mind
All through the years, you're wondering if she loves you
You'll find you can't leave her behind