I Was Takin' A Walk Through A Small Country City
Just Seem' What There Was To See
I Sat Down To Read A Historical Marker
When I Felt Someone Sit Down By Me

He 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
When I Close My Eyes I Can Touch The Clear Skies
At The Corner Where I Used To Live
Oh I Wish I Could See Bakersfield

He 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 Back

Recitation:
He Said "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
When I Close My Eyes I Can Touch The Clear Skies
At The Corner Where I Used To Live
Oh I Wish I Could See Bakersfield

Oh I Wish I Could See Bakersfield