Lots of folks back East they say is leaving home every day
Beating the hot old dusty way to the California line
Cross the desert sands they roll trying to get out of the old dust bowl
They think they're going to a sugar bowl but here's what they find
The police at the port of entry sayin'
'You're number fifteen thousand for today'

Oh, if you ain't got the do-re-mi, friend, you ain't got the do-re-mi
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 a house or a farm that can't do nobody harm
Or take your vacation by the mountains or sea
Don't trade your old cow for a car, you'd better stay right where you are
You better take this little tip from me
Governor [Incomprehensible] on the radio one day
He jumped up to the microphone and he did say

Oh, if you ain't got the do-re-mi, friend, you ain't got the do-re-mi
You better go back to beautiful Texas
Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, Tennessee
California is a garden of Eden, it's 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