Noche Buena
                (En Rancho La Puerta)
 
                 Greg Trafidlo, c 2003
 
Clouds like a halo, encircle Mount Kuchamaa
Rise to the sky like an ascending dove
Thick frost of morning, glazes the laurel
‘Til daybreak warms us with sunlight and love
 
Red tails and hummingbirds, quail and coyote
Spirits of Indians walk in theses hills
Rocks of a million years watch in the wisdom
At Rancho La Puerta, the door to goodwill
 
Manzanita’s red berries, green of the prickly pear
Cool precious rains, wash the while sage
Dreams of the people come live as the chaparral
On this Noche Buena, the evening of grace
 
The church in Tecate, San Guadalupe
Is dressed in its glory with rainbows of flowers
The faith of the families, pride of the elders
Awakens our hearts at this midnight hour
 
Repeat chorus