Lots of folks back East, they say, is leavin' home every day
Beatin' the hot old dusty way to the California line
'Cross the desert sands they roll, gettin' out of that old dust bowl
They think they're goin' to a sugar bowl, but here's what they find
Now, the police at the port of entry say
"You're number fourteen thousand for today"

Oh, if you ain't got the do re mi, folks, you ain't got the do re mi
Why, you better go back to beautiful Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, Tennessee.
California is a garden of Eden, a paradise to live in or see
But believe it or not, you won't find it so hot
If you ain't got the do re mi

You want to buy you a home or a farm, that can't deal nobody harm
Or take your vacation by the mountains or sea
Don't swap your old cow for a car, you better stay right where you are
You better take this little tip from me
'Cause I look through the want ads every day
But the headlines on the papers always say

If you ain't got the do re mi, boys, you ain't got the do re mi
Why, you better go back to beautiful Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, Tennessee.
California is a garden of Eden, a paradise to live in or see
But believe it or not, you won't find it so hot
If you ain't got the do re mi


Lyrics submitted by sstennett

Do-Re-Mi Lyrics as written by Woody Guthrie

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, T.R.O. INC.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Do Re Mi song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    Do what is the Do-Re-Mi, exactly? any ideas? maybe a play on 'dough'-re-mi, meaning money?

    mopo976on June 22, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "Do Re Mi" as in solfège (Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do), I'm guessing.

    dannsceolon March 27, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Right on the money.

    I got this from the Ry Cooder album "The ufo has landed"

    "Woody said you better have some money in your shoe if you're going to california"

    I am guessing not only do you need money but you need to know how to make best use of it cause you can get ripped off! He makes use of the dough here by creating some fun word play. Interesting song. I havent heard woody's yet, just Ry's.

    RiversideGuitariston July 16, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The song is about how California is a great place if you have money and is not as good if you do not. I guess some things do not change over 70 years.

    TBBlueson July 05, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    If you read John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" you'll get the connection. As I recall there's a scene in the book when the Joad family tries to enter California. As they are approaching the State Line, the CA state police have set up a barricade (like a border crossing) because they are trying to limit the number of Okies and other migrant workers entering the state.

    SusanBassPlayeron April 19, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yes and the "Do" in "Do Re Me" does refer to money.

    SusanBassPlayeron April 19, 2011   Link

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