I am Governor Jerry Brown
My aura smiles and never frowns
Soon I will be president

Carter power will soon go 'way
I will be Führer one day
I will command all of you
Your kids will meditate in school
Your kids will meditate in school

California Über Alles
California Über Alles
Über Alles California
Über Alles California

Zen fascists will control you
Hundred percent natural
You will jog for the master race
And always wear the happy face
Close your eyes, can't happen here
Big Bro' on white horse is near
The hippies won't come back, you say
Mellow out or you will pay
Mellow out or you will pay

California Über Alles
California Über Alles
Über Alles California
Über Alles California

Now it is nineteen eighty-four
Knock-knock at your front door
It's the suede denim secret police
They have come for your uncool niece

Come quietly to the camp
You'd look nice as a drawstring lamp
Don't you worry, it's only a shower
For your clothes, here's a pretty flower

Die on organic poison gas
Serpent's egg's already hatched
You will croak, you little clown
When you mess with President Brown
When you mess with President Brown

California Über Alles
California Über Alles
Über Alles California
Über Alles California


Lyrics submitted by Ice

California Über Alles Lyrics as written by Raymond John Pepperelle Eric Reed Boucher

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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California Über Alles song meanings
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  • +6
    General Comment

    Jerry Brown was Governor of California in the 70's, and had a reputation for being somewhat of a left-wing kook, into the hippie culture. He was nicknamed "Governor Moonbeam".

    In 1976 he tried to unseat Jimmy Carter as the Democratic nominee for President, but to the surprise of no one, was unsuccessful. Basically, this is a satirical song imagining what a Jerry Brown presidency would be like. It's funny to imagine a laid-back guy like Brown trying to forcibly assimilate the entire country into his laid-back hippie culture using Nazi-esque tactics, with "suede denim secret police" and "organic poison gas" etc.

    That's the message. If you don't know about politics, you won't understand this song.

    J.J.on April 10, 2004   Link

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