California Shake Lyrics - Margo Guryan

CALIFORNIA SHAKE 

Words and Music by Margo Guryan and Richard Bennett 

Melon-rising California sun 

Drifting in a day not yet begun 

Six o'clock and peaceful and serene 

Floating in a Technicolor scene 

Something nearly peaceful in the sound 

Rising from the San Andreas ground 

Overground, it starts to feel strange 

Underground, it starts to rearrange 

You'd better get up 

And run for a doorway 

No time for thinking 

Your life is at stake 

Everyone's doing the California Shake 

California Shake 

Nonbelieving, everybody waits 

Shifting on the continental plates 

Thunder far below the ocean floor 

Damned impartial sub-terrestrial war 

Wond'ring if you're going to survive 

God, it feels like eight point four or five 

Fifteen seconds holding your breath 

Living through a microscopic death 

You'd better hold on 

The worst isn't over 

No time for thinking 

Your life is at stake 

Everyone's doing the California Shake 

California Shake 

© 1975 (renewed) DARTMOOR MUSIC 

Used by permission. All rights reserved.