[Intro]
Oh, I got to get to California right away
Oh, now I got to get to California right away

[Verse 1]
Just to see the evening sun, oh, setting in the west
Breaks my heart 'cause it reminds me of the true love that I left
In the sunset I can see my baby's face just haunting me
Reminding me of the tenderness that heaven knows was in her kiss
I had a love that was mine, mine, mine, mine alone
But I played the fool and Lord I left my happy home

What a fool a man can be, but this loneliness inside of me says

[Chorus]
I got to get to California right away
Oh, I got to get to California

[Verse 2]
I wish I was there by my baby's side
Lord, I wish I had listened to my heart and not my pride
She tried to tell me that I had no reason for jealousy
But I was blinded by my pride and I just couldn't see
Now I've got to hurry, I've got a reason to worry
I've got to be on the move, true love I'm gonna lose
I pray it's not too late, oh, I might have to catch a freight

[Chorus]
But I got to get to California right away
Oh, I got to get to California right away

[Bridge]
Oh, oh, I may have to hitchhike, baby
Mhm, might have to hop a freight, yeah

[Verse 3]
Yeah, yeah, now I've gotta hurry
Now I've got a reason to worry
I've got to be on the move
Or true love I'm gonna lose
What a fool a man can be
But this loneliness inside of me says

[Chorus]
I got to get to California right away
I got to get to California (Right away), mhm

[Outro]
(California, I'm on my way)
Might have to hitchhike, baby
(California, I'm on my way)
Oh, oh
(I got to get to California right away)
Oh, might have to hitch a ride
(I got to get to California right away)
(I got to get to California right away)
Oh, oh, now, now, I got to get to California, yeah