FAMILY SONG^©

a.k.a. CALIFORNIA
a.k.a. CALIFORNIA, YOU'RE A WOMAN

Jul-Aug 1972 version

Well you know how when you're young
There's such a distance between you and your family
You just can't see things from the same point of view
Papa wants a lawyer and mama she wants an author
And all you want is for them to want you

Well, I saw a lot of bad signs and we had some real bad times back on the East Coast
And I guess you could say it took California to bring us close
There was a lot of hard livin' and some stone cold women on the East Coast
And I saw my papa turn away when I needed him the most

Oh and California she's an angel
Oh so heavenly dressed
Whoa and the Pacific she's a woman
The Lord oh, must have loved her best
I got a California rainbow to come give them thunder clouds a rest
Oh and the mountain is my friend now, she put me to her test

Well you know every father has dreams and schemes for his own kid
And dreaming it ain't been declared no capital crime
But I just hope when I grow up to have my own kids
I'll love 'em all I can and let 'em make their own minds
Now you know how a mother can hold a son through understanding
And my father he once held me close by crying
Whoa, and my mama's love it don't ever leave me standing
And papa's love just leaves me smiling

Oh and my mama she's a rainbow, gotta see her on Sunday when she's dressed
Whoa and my papa he's a good man, ooh he gives me and mama his best
Whoa my mama she's a rainbow, come to give them thunder clouds a rest
And my family is my friend now, California put us through her test

Written in 1971 under the title CALIFORNIA. Also known by the title CALIFORNIA, YOU'RE A WOMAN. These lyrics refer to the version recoded in Jul-Aug 1972 in the Media and 914 Sound Studios, Blauvelt, NY. Probably also recorded at Pocketful Of Tunes Studio, New York City, NY, in May-Jun 1972.

The May-Jun 1972 version is delivered at a slower pace and is slightly off-key. This version is likely a 2nd take and is the superior performance. The two version are lyrically very similar.

This version appeared on the semi-legal CDs Before The Fame, The Early Years, Unearthed, and Prodigal Son. I was also released on several bootlegs, including Prodigal Son (Crystal Cat Records).