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THE BORDER AFFAIR by Charles Badger Clark 1907 (1883-1957) Badger Clark’s poem has been sung by many, from Ian Tyson to Bob Dylan, best known as “Spanish is the Loving Tongue.” In Git Along, Little Dogies (1975) John I. White tells that Prescott, Arizona cowboy singer Bill Simon put it to music in 1925, a few years after he did the same for Gail I. Gardner’s “The Sierry Petes.” Badger Clark got his cowboying experience in Arizona. He became the Poet Laureate of South Dakota, where he was born and lived for most of his life. He wrote many lasting poems, and others that found their way into song include “The Old Cow Man,” “Riding’,” and “To Her.” [Intro] A D A B E A D A E A [Verse 1]
ASpanish is the Dlovin’ tongue, ASoft as music, Blight as Espray. A‘Twas a girl I Dlearnt it from, ALivin’ down ESonora Away. DI don’t Elook much Dlike a Alover, AYet I F#msay her Blove words Eover AOften when I’m Dall alone - A“Mi amor, Emi coraAzon.”
[Verse 2]
ANights when she knew where DI would ride AShe would listen Bfor my Espurs, AThrow those big doors Dopen wide, ARaise them laughin’ Eeyes of hAers DAnd my Eheart would Dnigh stop Abeatin’ AWhen I F#mheard her Btender Egreetin’, AWhispered soft for Dme alone A“Mi amor! Emi coraAzon!”
[Verse 3]
AMoonlight in the Dpatio, AOld Señora Bnoddin’ Enear, AMe and Juana Dtalkin’ low ASo her madre Ecouldn’t Ahear - DHow those Ehours would Dgo a-Aflyin' AAnd too F#msoon I’d Bhear her Esighin’ AIn her little sDorry tone - A“Adios, Emi coraAzon!”
[Verse 4]
ABut one time I Dhad to fly AFor a foolish Bgamblin’ Efight, AAnd we said a Dswift goodbye AIn that black, Eunlucky Anight. DBut traveling Enorth her Dwords kept Ariniging AWith every hoofF#mbeat I could Bhear her Esinging APlease don't leave me Dall alone - A“Mi amor, Emi coraAzon”
[Verse 5]
ANever seen her sDince that night, AI can’t cross the Bline, you Eknow. AShe was Mexican and DI was White; ALike as not it’s Ebetter Aso. DYet I’ve Ealways Dsort of Amissed her ASince that F#mvery last Bnight I Ekissed her, AI broke her heart but Dlost my own - A“Adios, Emi coraAzon!”