Down by the mission San Miguel
Is a great house wherein dwell
Don Carlos and La Dona Maria Elena Cantrell

I work at the ranch and I saddle her mare
I ride with the gun behind
As she visits her friends here and there
She says, "Thank you, Manuel"
Or, "Manuel, por favor"
Or "Good ev'ning, Manuel"
La Dona Maria Elena Cantrell

I dream of the mission San Miguel and it says to me
The mission bell, "She is married, Manuel
The wife of the rancher, Don Carlos Cantrell

You serve at the ranch. You hold her chair
You carry her boxes, trunks, letters, and books here and there
She says, "Thank you, Manuel," or
"Manuel, por favor," or "Good ev'ning, Manuel"
La Dona Maria Elena Cantrell

But I hear with my heart what she says with her eyes with
"Good ev'ning, Manuel," or "Manuel, por favor,"
Or, "The carriage, Manuel," or "Manuel, close the door."