Well I left my home and my one true love

East of the Ohio River

Father said we'd never wed

For I had neither gold nor silver

But my darling dear please shed no tears

For I think that it's fair to warn you

That I'll return to claim your hand

As the King of California

Over deserts hot and mountains cold

I traveled the Indian country

Whispering your name under lonesome skies

Your memory my only company

But my darling dear please have no fear

For I think that it's fair to warn you

That I'll return to claim your hand

As the King of California

I went up from Sacramento town

To the Sierra Gold Fields

And I worked my stake on a river bank

Dreaming just how a rich man feels

Now my darling dear listen here

For I think that it's fair to warn you

That I'll return to claim your hand

As the King of California

Now a dead man's lying at my feet

Who tried to steal my earnings

Yet I still recall your tender kiss

Though this bullet in my chest is burning

Oh my darling dear please shed no tears

'Cause I think that it's fair to warn you

That I'll return to claim your hand

As the King of California

That I'll return to claim your hand

As the King of California