Well I came to California
With a guitar on my knee
And a U-haul full of furniture
Little dreams of what I could be
Deep from the west with a song in my chest
And a foolish smile on my face
An innocent rube soon gone for good
That a darker muse would replace

With a song of sorrow
On a trail of tears
And a dream I followed
Through the Hollywood years

Well I hit the streets with my
Sack of sweets
And I peddled them at the store
But it didn't take very long too see
The gargoyles guarding the door
To the perfumed garden any fool could tell
It was all happening over the wall
So I dressed in black to mourn the fact
I was headed straight for a fall

With a song of sorrow
On a trail of tears
And a dream I followed
Through the Hollywood years
Pull the strap down off your shoulder
Guard your heart and be a soldier
You'll be dead if you get colder girl
You're getting older

With a rumbling sound we were thrown to the ground
When the scales hit 6.1
And it left not doubt it was time to get out
But there was no place left to run
Out of cash Hollywood trash
Shoved to the edge of the shore
Packed my bag and raised the white flag
I just couldn't buy in anymore

To the song of sorrow
And the trail of tears
And a dream I followed
Through the Hollywood Years