What makes this particular performance by Jolson Interesting is that , as with all of the post war Performances, by this time Jolson had had his left lung removed after contracting Malaria during the Second World War, even so his voice is just as pwoerful as in the pre war years.
California Here I Come
Al Jolson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
then my eyes turn west-ward, knowing that's the place I love the best of all.
California , I've been blue, since I've been away from you.
I can't wait 'til I get going.
Even now I'm starting in to call, Oh
California, here I come right back where I started from.
Where Bowers of flowers bloom in the sun.
A sunkist miss said, "Don't be late" that's why I can hardly wait.
Open up that Golden Gate,
California here I come.
Any one who likes to wander ought to keep this saying in his mind,
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder" of the good old place you leave behind.
When you've hit the train awhile, seems you rarely see a smile;
that's why I must fly out yonder, where a frown is mighty hard to find! Oh
California, here I come right back where I started from.
Where Bowers of flowers bloom in the sun.
Each morning at dawning, birdies sing an' everything.
A sunkist miss said, "Don't be late" that's why I can hardly wait.
Open up that Golden Gate.
California here I come.
The song "California, Here I Come" by Al Jolson tells the story of someone longing to return to the state that they love. The lyrics convey a sense of homesickness and nostalgia, with the singer reminiscing about the beauty of California and the feeling of belonging there. The opening lines set the scene for the emotional journey of the singer, with the wintry winds and falling snow highlighting the contrast between where they are currently located and the warmth of California. The singer's heart is set on returning to the state they love, and their excitement is palpable even in the opening lines.
As the song progresses, the singer's love for California becomes more evident. They describe the state as the place they love the best of all, and their eagerness to return is clear. The imagery of flowers blooming and birdies singing emphasizes the natural beauty of California, while the reference to a "sunkist miss" adds a touch of romance to the song. The singer's desire to return to California is so strong that they can hardly wait, and they urge the state to "open up that Golden Gate" and welcome them home.
The final verse of the song emphasizes the idea that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Despite the challenges of traveling and the lack of smiles along the way, the singer is determined to return to California. The repetition of the chorus drives home this desire, with the singer literally singing their intention to return to the state they love.
Overall, "California, Here I Come" is a song about the power of nostalgia and the emotional pull of home. The vivid imagery and catchy chorus make it a beloved classic, and it remains a staple of American popular music.
Line by Line Meaning
When the wintry winds are blowing and the snow is starting in to fall, then my eyes turn west-ward, knowing that's the place I love the best of all.
During winter season, the harsh winds and snowfall remind me to go back to my most favorite place which is California.
California , I've been blue, since I've been away from you. I can't wait 'til I get going. Even now I'm starting in to call, Oh
I have missed California so much since I have been away from it that it made me feel sad. I am eager to go back and I even started calling out for it.
California, here I come right back where I started from. Where Bowers of flowers bloom in the sun. Each morning at dawning, birdies sing an' everything. A sunkist miss said, "Don't be late" that's why I can hardly wait. Open up that Golden Gate, California here I come.
I am thrilled to go right back to California where I began my journey, with its sunny climate, bright flowers in full bloom, birds singing every morning, and a special person waiting for me, I am excited to be received through the Golden Gate.
Any one who likes to wander ought to keep this saying in his mind, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" of the good old place you leave behind. When you've hit the train awhile, seems you rarely see a smile; that's why I must fly out yonder, where a frown is mighty hard to find! Oh
People who like to travel should remember the saying 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder' for the place they left behind. While traveling on a train, people appear sad and rarely smile, which is why I need to go out to California, where it's almost impossible to see a sad face.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL JOLSON, B. G. DESYLVA, JOSEPH MEYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@edwardcamp3376
When the wintry winds start blowing
And the snow is starting to fall
Then my eyes turn westward knowing
That's the place that I love best of all
California, I've been blue
Since I've been away from you.
I can't wait till I get going
Even now I'm starting in a call
California, here I come
Right back where I started from
Where bowers are flowers bloom in the spring
Each morning at dawning
Birdies sing and everything
A sun kissed miss said "Don't be late!"
That's why I can hardly wait,
Open up that Golden Gate!
California, here I come!
California, here I come, yeah!
Right where I started from
Where bowers are flowers bloom in the spring
Each morning at dawning
Birdies sing and everything
A sun kissed miss said "Don't be late!"
That's why I can hardly wait
Open up, open up, open up that Golden Gate!
California, here I come!
@chefie1072
When the wintry winds starts blowing,
And the snow is starting in the fall,
Then my eyes went westward knowing,
That's the place that I love best of all.
California I've been blue, Since I've been away from you,
I can't wait 'till I get going, Even now I'm starting in a call:
California, Here I Come, Right back where I started from.
Where bowers of flowers, Bloom in the spring.
Each morning at dawning, Birdies sing at everything.
A sun-kissed miss said, "Don't be late!" That's why I can hardly wait.
Open up that golden gate, California, Here I Come."
@HooDatDonDar
All together, now:
When the wintry winds start blowing
And the snow is starting to fall
Then my eyes turn westward knowing
That's the place that I love best of all
California, I've been blue
Since I've been away from you.
I can't wait till I get going
Even now I'm starting in a call
California, here I come
Right back where I started from
Where bowers of flowers bloom in the spring
Each morning at dawning
Birdies sing and everything
A sun kissed miss said "Don't be late!"
That's why I can hardly wait,
Open up that Golden Gate!
California, here I come!
[Now, vamp it!]
California, here I come, yeah!
Right where I started from
Where bowers are flowers bloom in the spring
Each morning at dawning
Birdies sing and everything
A sun kissed miss said "Don't be late!"
That's why I can hardly wait
Open up, open up, open up that Golden Gate!
California, here I come!
(Heard this sung in public, and some people try to ham it up, Jolson style. Fun, but no one can do Jolson. He was one of a kind).
@barneyfyfe8313
My dad boarded a troop ship in California. Ended up fighting in New Guinea and the Philippines. This song was their anthem when it was all over.
@roberthach8778
This past summer I got the opportunity to go through an old abandoned & boarded up farmhouse in Iowa. In the living room of the house was an old Victrola, with this very record still on it. I brought it all home, cleaned it up & played this song....wow! What an amazing voice Al had!
@loonylinda
remembering my dad...who sang all these old jolson songs around and about all his life....recently left us aged 87....what a crooner! thanks for these old memories.
@laurahoward5426
I dang them with my grandfather and father......red, red tobin, sitting on top of the world, toot toot tootsie.....good times❣
@ll_distribution
Amazing sound thanks for making this available. AL Jolson was my dad's favorite.
@sexonnaplatter
This was the most popular song the year my mother was born. She turns 90 today. It was written for a musical designed for Jolson called Bombo.
@AgrippaMaxentius
New Yorker my whole life and I still think this is the best of the state songs .
@kellyhigham4950
Grew up on his songs. They will always be in my heart ❤
@asafakiva1619
And don't think it hasn't been a little slice of heaven.
Cause it hasn't
@jasobres
Bugs Bunny, 1946