I was takin' a walk through a small country city
Just seein' what there was to see
I sat down to read a historical marker
When I felt someone sit down by meHe leaned on the tank that was helping his breathing
Said, "It's bad when your body is gone"
I said, "This is sure a nice town that you've got here"
He said, "Yeah, but there's no place like home"I wish I could see Bakersfield
Where the oil wells are pumpin', the oranges are bloomin'
And the grapevine winds down from the hill
And I close my eyes I can touch the clear skies
At the corner where I used to live
Oh I wish I could see BakersfieldHe said, "You don't ever know where life's gonna lead you
When you go ramblin' off down the track"
Sometimes I wish I'd never left California
Then I couldn't want to go backHe said, "You know, you know
I used to be a well-known country singer
Made my first record back in 1953
At one time Buck Owens was my lead guitar player
And ol' Hag once wrote a song about me"I wish I could see Bakersfield
Where the oil wells are pumpin', the oranges are bloomin'
And the grapevine winds down from the hill
And I close my eyes I can touch the clear skies
At the corner where I used to live
Oh I wish I could see BakersfieldOh I wish I could see Bakersfield
Oh I wish I could see Bakersfield