california

California

by Joni Mitchell

Sitting in a park in Paris France

Reading the news and it sure looks bad

They won't give peace a chance

That was just a dream some of us had

Still a lot of lands to see

But I wouldn't want to stay here

It's too old and cold and settled in its ways here

Oh but California

California I'm coming home

I'm going to see the folks I dig

I'll even kiss a Sunset pig

California I'm coming home

I met a redneck on a Grecian isle

Who did the goat dance very well

He gave me back my smile

But he kept my camera to sell

Oh the rogue the red red rogue

He cooked good omelettes and stews

And I might have stayed on with him there

But my heart cried out for you California

Oh California I'm coming home

Oh make me feel good rock 'n' roll band

I'm your biggest fan

California I'm coming home

Oh it gets so lonely

When you're walking

And the streets are full of strangers

All the news of home you read

Just gives you the blues

Just gives you the blues

So I bought me a ticket

I caught a plane to Spain

Went to a party down a red dirt road

There were lots of pretty people there

Reading Rolling Stone reading Vogue

They said "How long can you hang around?"

I said a week maybe two

Just until my skin turns brown

Then I'm going home to California

California I'm coming home

Oh will you take me as I am

Strung out on another man

California I'm coming home

Oh it gets so lonely

When you're walking

And the streets are full of strangers

All the news of home you read

More about the war

And the bloody changes

Oh will you take me as I am?

Will you take me as I am?

Will you?

© January 18, 1971; Pub Corp