Castilleja

Oh, Castilleja
You're a prairie fire dancing in the wind
But you're cold as a High Sierra
Every time I try to bring your flower in

I promised you the gold in California
On a painted horse with reins of silver thread
But if I can't steal your heart Castilleja
I'll end up with a price upon my head

You were bold Castilleja
When I saw you at Mojave's drinking slow
Full of poison like an arrow
Was just trying to say how much I love you so

I promised you the gold in California
On a painted horse with reins of silver thread
But if I can't steal your heart Castilleja
I'll haunt you like fugitive instead

Two strangers make one darkened shadow
That moved against the papered wall
When suddenly there loomed another
And Castilleja came to fall

So I lit out east of Inyo
To where the highway turns to sand
And there I met that heartless devil
Your desert flower in his hand

And I was quick like a streak of lightning
I fired first and then he fell
Now I dream of Castilleja
Whose secret I will never tell

I promised you the gold in California
On a painted horse with reins of silver thread
But if I can't steal your heart Castilleja
I'll ghost this world long after I'm dead
Oh, Castilleja
Oh, Castilleja
Oh, Castilleja