California

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 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 omelets 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? Will you take me as I am? Take me as I am --- California - Joni Mitchell