Lyrics to Some Santa Cruz Songs
As Sung in the Notes From Santa Cruz Companion Video
Compiled by Frank Perry and Mike Clark with the assistance of Ross Eric Gibson
Note: Some of the songs in the video were shortened,
and some of the lyrics are slightly altered from the originals.
The book, Notes From Santa Cruz, is published by
The Museum of Art & History, 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz, 96060.
Ph. 831-429-1964. www.santacruzmah.org
I Sing Like Enrico Tomaso
Lyrics by J. Howard Baily, 1891
With minor alterations by Ross Eric Gibson, 1988
Sung to music by Ross Eric Gibson, 1988
First Verse
How do you do kind friends this evening?
I would surely like to know,
For if you are feeling forty,
Why, perhaps you'd better go.
You must be strong to hear my singing,
If you’re ill please be discrete;
You can go, though if you want to,
Then I'll give the rest a treat.
Chorus
I sing like Enrico Tomaso—
I'm tenor, I'm baritone, basso;
The people all cry as I'm passing by:
“That fellow can out-sing Tomaso.”
Additional Verse (not included in video)
When I first sang in Madam's concert,
I did not have much of a voice,
But the Madam always praised me,
Said I was “the people's choice.”
So I sang in many concerts—
Sometimes the cabbage flew,
But I dodged and kept on singing,
Long until the air was blue.
When It's Apple Picking Time in Watsonville
(The Official Song of the California Apple Show at Watsonville)
Harriet Earl, 1913
Arrangement by Ross Eric Gibson, 2012
First Verse
Near a town of great renown,
Finest apples may be found,
Red, green and yellow with every hue,
And other colors new.
They are certainly the best,
Ever grown here in the west.
If any doubters are amongst you,
Come and we'll show you 'tis true,
Chorus
When it's apple picking time in Watsonville,
I want to go to Watsonville,
To the Eden where the luscious apples grow.
When it's apple picking time in Watsonville,
I'll then prepare to go,
To the greatest, grandest, apple show,
Apple Town welcomes you.
Second Verse (not included in video)
They have annual apple shows,
Every Californian knows,
Festivity reigns supremely there,
Every-one's free from care.
People flock from far and near,
For the best time in the year.
Without a doubt when they have gone away,
All of the people will say,
Chorus . . .
Live Oak Farm Center Song
Lyrics by Mary Macy, 1921
(Sung to the tune of “John Brown's Body")
First Verse
Live Oak Farm Bureau is the place you ought to be;
Live Oak district is the place for you and me.
We're the livest bunch of rustling folks
That ever you did see;
And we keep marching on.
Chorus
Glory, glory, Farm Bureau;
Glory, glory, Live Oak Center.
We are leading—others follow;
And still we're leading on.
Second Verse
For Live Oak Center we will work and talk and boost.
In Live Oak district, there the finest chickens' roost,
And the best of bulbs are growing
In our soil so rich and deep,
And we keep marching on.
Chorus . . .
Santa Cruz (Every Day in the Year)
Elmer McHugh, 1922
First Verse
There's a beauty spot in California known as Santa Cruz,
That is filled with pretty flowers every day.
There are places on her hillsides full of fascinating views,
Of valley and mountain and bay.
The rose will bloom at yule-tide, the sweet peas blossom there,
In such splendor you can't tell which to choose.
Forget-me-nots and golden poppies blooming everywhere,
And the sun is smiling now on Santa Cruz!
Chorus
(first half not included in video)
Every day in the year, roses bloom in Santa Cruz,
Every day in the year, bright flowers appear
to give comfort and cheer, and to rid you of your blues,
Every day in the year the birds chirp and sing,
Every day in the year's a day in spring,
Every day in the year is a day of good cheer
That's why I cling to Santa Cruz!
Second Verse (not included in video)
In a rugged, winding canyon the old San Lorenzo flows,
Sturdy cliffs resist the rush of dashing foam.
Where the waves caress the mountains and the breezes kiss the rose,
And gentle springtime always is home.
Beside the giant redwoods the leopard lilies grow,
The turtle dove high in the forest coos,
In his own way he is trying hard to let the world know
Of the beauty and the charm of Santa Cruz.
Chorus . . .
Floating Down the San Lorenzo River
Vera McKenna Clayton, 1928
Chorus
Floating down the San Lorenzo River,
with my little sweetheart at my side,
Bathed in the sunset's golden haze,
waiting the bright moon's silv'ry rays.
Then I'll hold you closely to me sweetheart,
and I'll steal a kiss, a kiss or two!
I'm hoping you'll promise to always be true,
for I love just you!
Verse (not included in video)
Meet me dear at sunset hour down by the dear old river.
Lover's land, fairy land, we'll make it ours forever.
Just we two in a little canoe floating on together.
Lover's land, fairy land, I'm never happy until I'm there
Big Basin
Sheridan R. Williams, 1926
Verse
Just across the ridge of mountains,
Not far from the sea,
Lies a spot created by the hand of God for you and me,
Where we can romp and play,
Where our troubles pass away,
It's a place that I hold dear to me,
It's where I long to be:
Chorus
Big Basin, Big Basin,
I hear you calling me,
Big Basin, Big Basin,
You line in my memory,
With your camp fire bright that gleams each night,
With a welcome that is true,
Where ever I may chance to be,
Big Basin, I'll remember you.
My Heart's In Santa Cruz
Lyrics by Ross Eric Gibson, 1988
(Copyright by Ross Eric Gibson, used with permission)
Sung to music by Elinor Hudson, 1965
First Verse
When the sun dips beyond the western hill,
It paints the sky in rose, and daffodil.
There is my heart in Flowerland away,
Through redwood hills, on sun-down bay:
Chorus
Santa Cruz has stole-away my heart!
Santa Cruz, when we are miles apart,
I look west at sunset, then
My heart's in Santa Cruz!
Second Verse
When the last blush of dusk is glowing still,
That light is from my City on a Hill!
Shining for me above the ancient trees,
Filled with the sweetest memories!
Chorus . . .
El Pajaro’s Refrain
Lyrics by Ross Eric Gibson, 1988
(Copyright by Ross Eric Gibson, used with permission)
Sung to music by J. V. Engquist, 1901
Chorus
Hear that melody sublime: “Tweet-tweet! Tweet-tweet!
As El Pajaro will chime: “Tweet-tweet! Tweet-tweet!”
Then hears: Tweet-tweet! Tweet-tweet!”
As the mountains in reply echo back so clear and high,
thru the sunny valley skies: “Tweet-tweet! Tweet-tweet!”
'Til El Pajaro replies: Tweet-tweet! Tweet-tweet!”
The joy that he feels now suddenly peals o’er his Pajaro-o Valley home!
First Verse
How the sunshine smells sweet in this valley,
opening the flow'rs, and ripening the orchards.
If the sunshine could turn into music,
it would sound just like El Pajaro’s refrain.
Chorus . . .
Second Verse
The birds join the chorus in fields and bowers
spreading his song for hours;
Until it’s lodged in everyone’s brain,
and they sing El Pajaro’s refrain!
Chorus . . .