Joaquin's wife was raped and left to die by forty-niners
The hangman put his brother in the grave
He swore that he would kill the ones who took away his fire
As he packed his horse and set upon his way

He rustled swine and cattle from the ranchers far and near
Stole all the silver from the banks in town
He killed those men mainly out of certainty and fear
The Gold Country demanded he be found

[Chorus]
Mr. Murieta never had a chance
With the California Rangers on his trail
The Mother Lode Bandito would rather hide than take the stand
And die in San Benito County jail
The Mother Lode Bandito would rather hide than take the stand
And die in San Benito County jail

Captain Harry Love set out to bring the dirty bandit in
A thousand dollar pay day on the line
Love cornered him on a dusty deadly Costal Mountain pass
Which led to lead exchange from either side

[Chorus]

Joaquin died and Captain Harry Love took off his head
And placed it in a jar for all to see
Touring the country proving Murieta dead
But his legend now lives on in history

[Chorus]