kate mcgarrigle
Kate & Anna McGarrigle released their self-titled debut album in January 1976. The McSisters never co-wrote each other, at least the songs are always credited the main songwriter, but it's still really hard to tell who sings what ... but it seems like the author always sings lead vocal. This one is Kate, and "Mendocino" has become her signature song, especially now when she's gone. Kate was a piano lady; Anna prefers button accordion or banjo, and still performs this proudly with the McGarrigle/Wainwright clan, including Kate's children Martha and Rufus.
"Mendocino" has resulted in some beautiful covers. In particular, I adore Linda Ronstadt's version from 1982. She has also covered several other McGarrigle songs.
I bid farewell to the state of ol' New York
my home away from home
in the state of New York I came of age
when first I started roaming
and the trees grow high in New York state
and they shine like gold in Autumn
never had the blues from whence I came
but in New York state I got 'em
talk to me of Mendocino
closing my eyes I hear the sea
must I wait, must I follow?
won't you say "come with me?"
and it's on to Southbend, Indiana
flat out on the western plain
rise up over the Rockies and down on into California
out to where but the rocks remain
and let the sun set on the ocean
I will watch it from the shore
let the sun rise over the redwoods
I'll rise with it till I rise no more
talk to me of Mendocino
closing my eyes, I hear the sea
must I wait, must I follow?
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
...Em G D7 G I bid farewell to the state of ol' New York C Am G my home away from home C G in the state of New York I came of age Em Am D7 when first I started roaming ...Em G D7 G and the trees grow high in New York state C Am G and they shine like gold in Autumn C G never had the blues from whence I came Em Am D7 but in New York state I got 'em G Cadd9 talk to me of Mendocino G Em D7 G closing my eyes I hear the sea Cadd9 must I wait must I follow? G Em D7 G won't you say come with me?
