Do Re Mi
Ry Cooder Lyrics

Lots of folks back east they say
Inhabitants who live in the eastern areas, often talk about traveling or migrating to California.

Leaving home most every day
These settlers have to leave their homes on a regular basis to come to California.

Beating the hot old dusty way
The route to California is tough and full of heat and dust, making it a difficult trip.

To the (g) california line
The destination of the travelers is the border of California.

'Cross the desert sands they roll
Travelers cross over the desert to get to California.

Getting out of that old dust bowl
People are excited to leave the areas affected by the dust bowl of the Midwest.

Think they're coming to a sugar bowl
People have an impression that California is abundant and prosperous.

But (g) here's (d7) what they (g) find
However, what they find is different than what they expect.

Police at the port of entry say
The police at the entry point tell them.

You're number fourteen thousand for to (d7) day
There are already 14,000 people entering California today.

Hey, if you (g) ain't got the do re mi, boy
If you don't have any money, then,

If you ain't got the do re (d) mi
If you don't have enough funds.

Well, you (d7) better go back to beautiful texas
Then, it would be better for you to return to your beautiful town in Texas.

Oklahoma, kansas, georgia, tennes- (g) see
Or to your states like Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, or Tennessee.

California is the garden of eden
California is said to be a lush Garden of Eden.

It's a paradise to (g7) live in or (c) see
It is considered a paradise to live in or even visit.

But be(g)lieve it or (d) not
But believe it or not,

You won't (bm) find it so (c) hot
You won't find it so good.

If you (em) ain't got the do re (g) mi
If you don't have enough funds.

You want to buy a home or a farm
If you plan to buy a house or a farm.

That can't do nobody harm
But you don't want to cause harm to others.

Take your vacation by the mountains or sea
It would be better to spend your vacation in the mountains or at the beach.

Don't swap your old cow for a car
Don't trade your old cow for a car.

You better stay right where you are
It is better to stay where you are.

Better take this little tip from me
This is some advice that you should consider.

Well, I look through the want ads every day
I search through want ads every day.

The headlines in the papers always say
The newspapers' headlines always tell me.