New Mexico State Ballad

"Land of Enchantment"

Written by Michael Martin Murphy, Chick Raines, and Don Cook

Adopted in 1989.

The ballad, "Land of Enchantment-New Mexico", words and music by Martin Murphy, Chick Raines and Don Cook, was adopted as the official state ballad of New Mexico in 1989.

New Mexico State Ballad: "Land of Enchantment"

"Land of Enchantment"

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.

Origin of Ballad: "Land of Enchantment"

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

New Mexico Law

The law designating the "Land of Enchantment - New Mexico", as the official New Mexico state ballad is found in the New Mexico Statutes, Title 12, Article 3, Section 12-3-10. The words are included within the statute.

CHAPTER 12. MISCELLANEOUS PUBLIC AFFAIRS MATTERS
ARTICLE 3. STATE SEAL, SONG AND SYMBOLS
SECTION 12-3-10. STATE BALLAD

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:

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
In the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico

As we watched the sunset by the Rio Grande
A mission bell rang farewell she took my hand
She said "come back amigo no matter where you go"
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"
To the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico

To the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico.