(Hooves in the canyon, wind in the pines)

Deep in the canyon, 'neath the blue sky

Where the dove and eagle fly.

Where the rivers cut loose

We rode the trail on my cayuse.

There beneath the red rock wall

I met my canyon bride so small.

Out near old Santa Fe

Seen her dance in a cabaret.

A desert flower, proud and warm

She placed in my hand a turquoise charm.

From that night I can recall

I called her my canyon bride to all.

The desert wind of New Mexico

Turned her dark hair all aglow.

She could make the cactus shake

And laugh at a rattlesnake.

In the starlight soft and tall

She was the fairest I ever saw.

But her father wished we’d never wed

Swore he’d take this drifter’s head.

Yet our love was strong, we married anyway

The riders chased but we got away.

Now in a distant mountain draw

We live in peace, far from her pa.

Years have rolled like a dusty stream

Children run where we once dreamed.

By the firelight’s gentle glow

We sing of the days in old New Mexico.

Time may fade that canyon wall

But I still thank fate for that canyon call.

(Ohh-lee-ay, in the canyon wide)

(Ohh-lee-ay, with my canyon bride)

(Ohh-lee-ay, where the night winds sigh)

Till the stars fall from the sky