I come from Salem City with my washbowl on my knee,
I′m going to California the gold dust for to see.
It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry,
The sun so hot I froze to death, oh brother, don't you cry.
Oh, California, that′s the land for me,
I'm off for San Francisco with my washbowl on my knee.
I jumped aboard the largest ship and traveled on the sea,
And every time I thought of home, I wished it wasn't me!
The vessel reared like any horse that had of oats a wealth,
I found it wouldn′t throw me, so I thought I′d throw myself!
I thought of all the pleasant times we've had together here,
And I thought I ought to cry a bit, but I could not find a tear.
The pilot′s bread was in my mouth, the gold dust in my eye,
And though I'm going far away, dear brother, don′t you cry.
And when I get to Frisco boys, then I′ll look around,
And when I see the golden lumps there, I′ll pick them off the ground.
I'll scrape the mountains clean, my boys, I′ll drain the rivers dry,
A pocketful of rocks bring home, so brothers, don't you cry.
Oh, California, that′s the land for me,
I'm off for San Francisco with my washbowl on my knee.