[Verse 1]
There was a California earthquake in the year of '83
It shook the living daylights out of the Owens County Seat
There weren't a building still left standing when the dust had cleared away
Just a rumble in the distance all the way to San Andrea

[Verse 2]
Sherman Buck was driving his old mule on into town
When the big 'un came and shook so hard that it knocked him to the ground
Lord, there opened up a hole so big that he knew his time was up
Lord, it swallowed up that poor old mule and it just missed Sherman Buck

[Chorus]
California earthquake you just don't know what you've done
We might fall off in the ocean, Lord you'll never make us run
You're a partner of the devil, Lord we ain't afraid of him
We'll build ourselves another town so you can tear it down again

[Dobro Solo]

[Verse 3]
Then came the quake of '99 that levelled Mission Creek
The earth was like an ocean churning waves of twenty feet
Lord it sounded like a thousand trains were screaming underground
Clean across to San Joachim they heard that mournful sound
[Chorus]
California earthquake you just don't know what you've done
We might fall off in the ocean, Lord you'll never make us run
You're a partner of the devil, Lord we ain't afraid of him
We'll build ourselves another town so you can tear it down again

[Verse 4]
Then there came one day a holocaust, Lord and it rocked the Frisco Bay
Miles of walls came a-tumblin' down, just like Jericho on that day
Might near everything the earthquake missed, a holy fire consumed
Just left 'em holding smoke and ashes, what's a dream that can't be ruined

[Chorus]
California earthquake you just don't know what you've done
We might fall off in the ocean, Lord you'll never make us run
You're a partner of the devil, Lord we ain't afraid of him
We'll build ourselves another town so you can tear it down again