California Bloodlines- there are few songs John has recorded more often

California Bloodlines

Written by John Stewart

California Bloodlines- there are few songs John has recorded more often. First time on the “California Bloodlines” LP (Capitol Records, 69, best re-release as CD is the BGO double CD California Bloodlines/Willard - John plays it in the key of Bb), then my favourite version, on the “Phoenix Concerts” RCA-LP, re-release Bear Family CD “The Complete Phoenix Concerts” (with additional songs), key of B. All other versions I know of

are played in the key of C. Next version is on “Deep in the Neon- John Stewart Live at McCabe´s” (Homecoming Records CD, 91), then “John Stewart and Buffy Ford live at the Turf Inn, Scotland” (Folk Era CD, 96), and, finally, it´s also on “Front Row Music- Before the War” (Neon Dreams CD, 2001). Lest I forget- the song is also on the great “Gold” compilation CD (Wrasse, 99).

To complicate matters a bit, I play “California Bloodlines” in G. Capo 3rd fret to play along with Bb, 4th fret for B and 5th fret for C. This little signature run – b bb b c b a g, b bb b c b a g, a aa a b a g a g- can either be played as single notes - or “highlight “ the notes while playing the G-chord. You can either try to copy John´s playing or follow my advice- I love to play the song a little like John Hartford´s 'Gentle on My Mind'

(come on, you know that one). Try it and see what you think.

(G) (D9) (G) (D9) (G)

Had (Gj7)I been (G6)born in (G)New York (D9)City,

A New York (D7)City girl I'd (G)know,

Oh, workin' (Gj7)in the (G6)concrete, (G)not the (D9)sunlight,

Livin' in the (D7)New York rain and (G)snow.

Oh, there's California Bloodlines in (D9)my heart,

And a California (D7)woman in my (G)song,

Oh, there's California Bloodlines in (D9)my heart,

And a California (D7)heartbeat in my (G)soul.

And just to (Gj7)think that I (G6)might have (G)never (D9)known you

If I had lived my (D7)life in Tennes(G)see,

But I really (Gj7)could have (G6)never (G)let that (D9)happen,

For you and Cali(D7)fornia are in (G)me.

Oh, there's California Bloodlines in (D9)my heart,

And a California (D7)woman in my (G)song,

Oh, there's California Bloodlines in (D9)my heart,

And a California (D7)heartbeat in my (G)soul.

Have you wondered (Gj7)where we (G6)were ´fore (G)we were (D9)born,

Rollin' 'round the (D7)heavens like a (G)song?

Oh, I know it's (Gj7)then I (G6)saw the (G)big Si(D9)erras,

Saw a California (D7)sunrise comin' (G)on.

There's California Bloodlines in (D9)my heart,

And a California (D7)woman in my (G)song,

There's California Bloodlines in (D9)my heart,

And a California (D7)heartbeat in my (G)soul.

There's California Bloodlines in (D9)my heart,

And a California (D7)woman in my (G)song,

There's California Bloodlines in (D9)my heart,

And a California (D7)heartbeat in my (G)soul.

(D9) (G) (D9) (G)

janhauenstein@gmx.de