Laleña

“Laleña” is a song from Donovan, released as a single in October 1968. In November 1968, when in the studio with Paul McCartney for the recording of Mary Hopkin’s album “Post Card“, Donovan started playing this song and was joined by Paul on guitar.

Transcript of Paul McCartney and Donovan recorded during the sessions for Mary Hopkin’s Postcard LP as heard on the “No. 3 Abbey Road N.W. 8” bootleg CD. (reproduced from https://davidgray101.tripod.com/PaulandDonovan.html ):

[…] Suddenly, the tape cuts to an apparently later session. An unidentified male is now sitting with the group.

Unidentified Man: …oh, what’s the song? Shit. Oh, man, my fucking memory’s getting so bad. You know the one. Um….

Donovan: Lalena?

Unidentified Man: There you go!

Mary Hopkins: Oh, sure yeah, that song.

Donovan begins singing Lalena.

Donovan: (singing) When the sun goes to bed,

That’s the time…(speaking) I don’t think they dug that did they?

Unidentified Man: Oh, yeah.

Donovan continues playing the song as Paul joins in again on guitar for another duet, as Unidentified Man sings along with Donovan on parts. Eventually the song begins to wind down. […]

Bootlegs

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.