This is the story of the Yellow Bandana,
A handsome young soldier, and the girl named Rosana.
Oh, way down west, in the winds on New Mexico.
There lived a girl and the soldier who loved her so,
And every night 'neath the full crimson moon above,
This brave young soldier, would pledge her his love.
[Chorus]
And he gave Rosana his yellow bandana,
To wear in her hair, till he's with her once more.
He gave Rosana his yellow bandana,
Mounted his pony, and rode off to war.
His orders came, and he had to ride west again;
Seems that Apaches were causing unrest again.
He kissed Rosana goodbye as he rode away,
Promising this time he'd come back to stay.
[Chorus]
That war was over, and he came back home and found
That the Apaches had burned the whole village down.
And 'neath the tree where he'd last kissed Rosana,
Gripped on the cross, was his yellow bandana.
[Chorus]
He gave Rosana his yellow bandana,
To wear in her hair, till he's with her once more.
He gave Rosana his yellow bandana,
Mounted his pony, and rode off to war...