Oh California

Oh, California, that's the land for me
Now I'm off to San Francisco with a washbowl on my knee

I come from Salem City with a washbowl on my knee
I'm going to California, the gold dust for to see
It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry
The sun so hot I froze to death, oh brother, don't you cry

Oh, California, that's the land for me
Now I'm off to San Francisco with a washbowl on my knee

I jumped aboard the largest ship that travelled on the sea
And every time I thought of home, I wished it wasn't me
The vessel reared like any horse that had a boat so well
I found it wouldn't throw me so I thought I'd throw myself

Oh, California, that's the land for me
Now I'm off to San Francisco with a washbowl on my knee

I thought of all the pleasant times we've had together here
I thought I ought to cry a bit but couldn't shed a tear
The pilot's bread was in my mouth, the gold dust in my eye
And though I'm going far away, dear brother, don't you cry

Oh, California, that's the land for me
Now I'm off to San Francisco with a washbowl on my knee

And when I get to Frisco, boys, I'll take a look around
And when I see the gold lumps there, I'll pick them off the ground
I'll scrape the mountains clean, my boys, I'll drain the rivers dry
A pocket full of rocks bring home, so brothers, don't you cry

Oh, California, that's the land for me
Now I'm off to San Francisco with a washbowl on my knee

Oh, California, that's the land for me
Now I'm off to San Francisco with a washbowl on my knee