New Mexico Symbols, Ballad: Land of Enchantment

Adopted in 1989.

Chapter 12, Article 3 of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated 12-3-10. State ballad.

The words and music of "Land of Enchantment - New Mexico", written by Michael Martin Murphy, Chick Raines and Don Cook, are declared to be the official state ballad. The words of the state ballad are as follows:

Land of Enchantment

Michael Martin Murphey
Don Cook (ASCAP)
Chick Rains (ASCAP)

I met a lady in my drifting days,
I quickly fell under the spell
of her loving ways.
A rose in the desert, I loved her so-oo,
In the Land of Enchantment,
New Mexico.
We watched the sunset by the
Rio Grande,
A mission bell rang farewell,
she took my hand,
She said come back amigo,
I love you so-oo,
To the Land of Enchantment,
New Mexico.

From her arms I wandered,
far across the sea,
I often heard her gentle words
haunting me.
Come back amigo,
I miss you so-oo,
To the Land of Enchantment,
New Mexico.
TAG
Come back amigo, no matter
where you go,
To the Land of Enchantment,
New Mexico.
 

History: Laws 1989, ch. 120, § 1.

Origin of Ballad:

Michael Martin Murphey, a Taos resident, wrote "Land of Enchantment" and in March, 1989, the legislature took action to declare it the state ballad.

(c) 1989 Timberwolf Music Inc., BMI/Cross Keys Pubs.Inc.
(Tree Group)/Angel Fire Music ASCAP   Source: New Mexico Blue Book