Friends, I'm going to tell a story,
Something which perhaps you've heard.
Some people may not believe it.
Some may say it is absurd.
But, I'll tell you from experience
That it is no place of doubt
If you'll visit San Diego
Then you too will soon find out.
That the Spirit of Ramona
Lingers 'round each ancient place
And in every summer twilight
You may glimpse her saintly face.
For the sweet old Indian romance
Carries each one who comes this way
For the Spirit of Ramona
Floats o'er San Diego Bay.
You can feel it in the night winds
And the lapping of the waves
As they wash upon the beaches
From the ocean's deepest caves.
They are telling how this maiden
With her heart of purest gold
Tried to save her Indian people
In those stirring days of old.
How she left her home of luxury
With her lover, tried and true,
Braved the darkness of the mountains
Just to weave this tale for you.
Sore and weary, tired and hungry,
With a love no trial could rend,
Rode their weary, foot-sore horses,
Sought their dear, old, saintly friend.
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The Catholic Father at the mission
Which is standing to this day
Plead his love and council gave them
And they knelt with him to pray
At the quiet sheltered alter.
He joined their hearts as one.
Allesandro and Ramona,
Thus a history was begun.
When you visit San Diego
See Ramona's marriage place.
Feel the spirit of this maiden
That all time cannot erase.
For her staunch and loyal spirit
Haunts each lonely Indian scene
And the folks of San Diego
Strive to keep her memory green.
And her signs and prayers and laughter
Weave a sweet and mystic spell.
You can hear her footsteps rustling
Down the hills through Chapparell.
From these scenes her labor started
And her fame spread far and wide
For their loved and tortured people
Allesandro bravely died.
But the fame of fair Ramona
Lives forever in our hearts;
And her tender, loving memory
Of each scene becomes a part.
This sweet old Indian romance
Charms each one who comes this way
For the Spirit of Ramona
Floats o'er San Diego Bay.
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