C C/G
Well, I left my home and my one true love
C G4 Am7
East of the Ohio River
C C/G
My father said we'd never wed
C G4 Am7
For I had me no gold nor silver
Em Fadd9
But my darling dear, please shed no tears
C G4 Am7
But I think that it's fair to warn you
Fadd9 C G4 Am7
That I return to claim your hand
Em Fadd9 C
As the King of California
C C/G
Over deserts hot and mountains cold
C G4 Am7
I traveled the Indian country
C C/G
Whispering your name under lonesome skies
C G4 Am7
Remembering my only company
Em Fadd9
But my darling dear, have no fears
C G4 Am7
But I think that it's fair to warn you
Fadd9 C G4 Am7
That I return to claim your hand
Em F/add9 C
As the King of California
C C/G
I went up from Sacramento town
C G4 Am7
To the Sierra gold fields
C C/G
And I worked my stake on a riverbank
C G4 Am7
Dreaming just how a rich man feels
Em Fadd9
But my darling dear, listen here
C G4 Am7
But I think that it's fair to warn you
Fadd9 C G4 Am7
That I return to claim your hand
Em Fadd9 C
As the King of California
C C/G
Now, the dead man's lying at my feet
C G4 Am7
Who tried to steal my earnings
C C/G
Yet, I still recall your tender kiss
C G4 Am7
Though this bullet in my chest is burning
Em Fadd9
But my darling dear, please have no fear
C G4 Am7
But I think that it's fair to warn you
Fadd9 C G4 Am7
That I return to claim your hand
Em Fadd9 C
As the King of California
Fadd9 C G4 Am7
But I'll I return to claim your hand
Em Fadd9 C
As the King of California