René wrote the song as a tribute to the annual springtime return of the cliff swallows to Mission San Juan Capistrano in Southern California. A glassed - off room in the mission was later designated in René 's honor, and displays the upright piano on which he composed the tune, the reception desk from his office, several copies of the song 's sheet music and other pieces of furniture, all donated by René 's family.
when do the swallows go back to capistrano
springtime