Going To California Lyrics and chords
Written By Johnny McEvoy. Johnny does this song with Isla Grant as a duo. A lot of people have requested the guitar chords for this one, I had a go at the chords myself but never got them quiet right. Marc Fahrbach from Germany who also happens to like the song writing of Johnny McEvoy took the song in hand and put the chords to it. Thanks Marc.
GOING TO CALIFORNIA 4/4 (Johnny McEvoy) (Use capo on 2nd fret). Also recorded by P.J. Murrihy, Tommy Lawler and by Paddy O'Brien who renamed the song ''Out To California'' .
The mandolin / tenor banjo tab for Going To California is in the ebook of mandolin tabs here . The tin whistle notes are in my other ebook below.
GOING TO CALIFORNIA 4/4 (Johnny McEvoy) (Use capo on 2nd fret). Also recorded by P.J. Murrihy, Tommy Lawler and by Paddy O'Brien who renamed the song ''Out To California'' .
The mandolin / tenor banjo tab for Going To California is in the ebook of mandolin tabs here . The tin whistle notes are in my other ebook below.
Going To California Song Lyrics
He was never there when needed
and oh who much she pleaded
Saying darling wont you stay home just one time
He'd just smile and say I'm sorry
But there's no need to worry
Just gonna meet some army buddies
Drink some beer and fight the war.
In the kitchen making wishes
As she tidies up the dishes
On another lonely weekend
And the wine she drank alone
And the nights they hold no pity
In the cold of New York city
As she waits there in the darkness
To hear his key turn in the door
She said I'm going to California
To taste the sunshine and the wine
Sit beside the rolling ocean
And slowly pass the time
Reading books and old love stories
And forget about my worries
And maybe who knows maybe
We'll meet again somtime.
Then one night he came home sober
With a longing just to hold her
When he found the note she'd )written
Waiting by the telephone
And she said ''I'll always love you
And never will forget you
Bit I just can't take this lonely feeling anymore''
Now the nights are cold and lonely
And he sits and watches TV
Drinking beer and chasing whiskey
Wondering where it all went wrong
And his eyes are tired and burning
From the dreams that keet returning
And all his yesterdays they wont leave him alone
He was never there when needed
and oh who much she pleaded
Saying darling wont you stay home just one time
He'd just smile and say I'm sorry
But there's no need to worry
Just gonna meet some army buddies
Drink some beer and fight the war.
In the kitchen making wishes
As she tidies up the dishes
On another lonely weekend
And the wine she drank alone
And the nights they hold no pity
In the cold of New York city
As she waits there in the darkness
To hear his key turn in the door
She said I'm going to California
To taste the sunshine and the wine
Sit beside the rolling ocean
And slowly pass the time
Reading books and old love stories
And forget about my worries
And maybe who knows maybe
We'll meet again somtime.
Then one night he came home sober
With a longing just to hold her
When he found the note she'd )written
Waiting by the telephone
And she said ''I'll always love you
And never will forget you
Bit I just can't take this lonely feeling anymore''
Now the nights are cold and lonely
And he sits and watches TV
Drinking beer and chasing whiskey
Wondering where it all went wrong
And his eyes are tired and burning
From the dreams that keet returning
And all his yesterdays they wont leave him alone
The above list of sheet music / tin whistle notes are in
The Johnny McEvoy ebook of songs at the bottom of this page.
The Johnny McEvoy ebook of songs at the bottom of this page.
Going to California sheet music / tin whistle notes by Johnny McEvoy
Going To California Guitar Chords In G Major
Intro: C-G-D-G-C-G-D7-D-G-C-G
He was (G)never there when needed
and (C)oh who much she (Am)pleaded
Saying (G)darling wont you stay home just one (D)time
He'd just (G)smile and (C)say I'm (G)sorry
But (C)there's no need to (Am)worry
Just gonna (G)meet some (C)army (G)buddies
Drink some beer and (D7)fight the (G)war.
In the (G)kitchen making wishes
As she (C)tidies up the (Am)dishes
On an(G)other lonely weekend
And the wine she drank a(D7)lone
And the (G)nights they (C)hold no (G)pity
In the (C)cold of New York (Am)city
As she (G)waits there (C)in the (G)darkness
To hear his key turn (D7)in the (G)door
She said I'm (D)going to Cali(D7)fornia
To taste the (C)sunshine and the (G)wine
Sit be(C)side the rolling (G)ocean
And slowly pass the (D7)time
Reading (G)books and (C)old love (G)stories
And for(C)get about my (Am)worries
And (G)maybe (C)who knows (G)maybe
We'll (D)meet a(D7)gain some(G)time.
Change of key!
Then one (C)night he came home sober
With a (F)longing just to (Dm)hold her
When he (C)found the note she'd )written
Waiting by the tele(G)phone
And she (C)said ''I'll a(F)lways (C)love you
And (F)never will for(Dm)get you
Bit I (C)just can't (F)take this (C)lonely (G7)feeling any(C)more''
Now the (C)nights are cold and lonely
And he (F)sits and watches (Dm)TV
Drinking (C)beer and chasing whiskey
Wondering where it all went (G)wrong
And his (C)eyes are (F)tired and (C)burning
From the (F)dreams that keet re(Dm)turning
And (C)all his (F)yester(C)days they (G7)wont leave him a(C)lone
She said I'm (G)going to Cali(G7)fornia
To taste the (F)sunshine and the (C)wine
Sit be(F)side the rolling (C)ocean
And slowly pass the (G7)time
Reading (C)books and (F)old love (C)stories
And for(F)get about my (Dm)worries
And (C)maybe (F)who knows (C)maybe
We'll (G)meet a(G7)gain some(C)time.
Although there's a key change for Isla Grant's contribution this is normal when there's a duet with man/woman as a woman normally has a higher voice that a man, so just use the chords in the first verse through the whole song if you wish.
This is one of the most popular songs on the whole site.
Intro: C-G-D-G-C-G-D7-D-G-C-G
He was (G)never there when needed
and (C)oh who much she (Am)pleaded
Saying (G)darling wont you stay home just one (D)time
He'd just (G)smile and (C)say I'm (G)sorry
But (C)there's no need to (Am)worry
Just gonna (G)meet some (C)army (G)buddies
Drink some beer and (D7)fight the (G)war.
In the (G)kitchen making wishes
As she (C)tidies up the (Am)dishes
On an(G)other lonely weekend
And the wine she drank a(D7)lone
And the (G)nights they (C)hold no (G)pity
In the (C)cold of New York (Am)city
As she (G)waits there (C)in the (G)darkness
To hear his key turn (D7)in the (G)door
She said I'm (D)going to Cali(D7)fornia
To taste the (C)sunshine and the (G)wine
Sit be(C)side the rolling (G)ocean
And slowly pass the (D7)time
Reading (G)books and (C)old love (G)stories
And for(C)get about my (Am)worries
And (G)maybe (C)who knows (G)maybe
We'll (D)meet a(D7)gain some(G)time.
Change of key!
Then one (C)night he came home sober
With a (F)longing just to (Dm)hold her
When he (C)found the note she'd )written
Waiting by the tele(G)phone
And she (C)said ''I'll a(F)lways (C)love you
And (F)never will for(Dm)get you
Bit I (C)just can't (F)take this (C)lonely (G7)feeling any(C)more''
Now the (C)nights are cold and lonely
And he (F)sits and watches (Dm)TV
Drinking (C)beer and chasing whiskey
Wondering where it all went (G)wrong
And his (C)eyes are (F)tired and (C)burning
From the (F)dreams that keet re(Dm)turning
And (C)all his (F)yester(C)days they (G7)wont leave him a(C)lone
She said I'm (G)going to Cali(G7)fornia
To taste the (F)sunshine and the (C)wine
Sit be(F)side the rolling (C)ocean
And slowly pass the (G7)time
Reading (C)books and (F)old love (C)stories
And for(F)get about my (Dm)worries
And (C)maybe (F)who knows (C)maybe
We'll (G)meet a(G7)gain some(C)time.
Although there's a key change for Isla Grant's contribution this is normal when there's a duet with man/woman as a woman normally has a higher voice that a man, so just use the chords in the first verse through the whole song if you wish.
This is one of the most popular songs on the whole site.
🎵 STRUMMING PATTERN
For verses, use a smooth folk-country feel:
Pattern (4/4):
👉 ↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
(Down, Down, Up, Up, Down, Up)
Or, for a gentler “story” delivery:
👉 ↓ (bass) ↓–Up (pause) ↓–Up
Tip: Emphasize the bass note (root note of each chord) on the first down strum to add a Travis-picking flavor even when strumming.
🎶 CHORDS (Verse + Chorus, in G Major)
Verse 1
He was [G]never there when needed,
and [C]oh how much she [Am]pleaded,
Saying, [G]"Darlin’, won’t you stay home just one [D]time?"
He’d just [G]smile and [C]say, “I’m [G]sorry,
But [C]there’s no need to [Am]worry,
Just gonna [G]meet some [C]army [G]buddies,
Drink some beer and [D7]fight the [G]war.”
Chorus
She said, “I’m [D]going to Cali[D7]fornia,
To taste the [C]sunshine and the [G]wine,
Sit be[C]side the rolling [G]ocean,
And slowly pass the [D7]time,
Reading [G]books and [C]old love [G]stories,
And for[C]get about my [Am]worries,
And [G]maybe, [C]who knows, [G]maybe,
We’ll [D]meet a[D7]gain some [G]time.”
🪕 FINGERPICKING TAB (Verse 1 + Chorus)
Use a Travis-picking pattern (steady bass, alternating between 6th–4th or 5th–4th strings).
Right-hand roles:
T (thumb): bass notes (E/A/D)
I (index): G string
M (middle): B string
Pattern per bar (4/4):
T I M I T I M I
🎸 TAB — Verse 1
[G]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
E|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
He was never there when needed, and [C]oh how much she [Am]pleaded...
[C]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
A|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
[Am]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|
D|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
A|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
🎸 TAB — Chorus (same picking pattern)
[D]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------3---------|------3---------|------3---------|------3---------|
G|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|
D|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|
A|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
She said I'm going to Cali[D7]fornia...
[D7]
e|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|
D|0---------------|0---------------|
A|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|
To taste the [C]sunshine and the [G]wine...
Then continue alternating G–C–G–D7 in the same fingerpicking style through the rest of the chorus.
For verses, use a smooth folk-country feel:
Pattern (4/4):
👉 ↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
(Down, Down, Up, Up, Down, Up)
Or, for a gentler “story” delivery:
👉 ↓ (bass) ↓–Up (pause) ↓–Up
Tip: Emphasize the bass note (root note of each chord) on the first down strum to add a Travis-picking flavor even when strumming.
🎶 CHORDS (Verse + Chorus, in G Major)
Verse 1
He was [G]never there when needed,
and [C]oh how much she [Am]pleaded,
Saying, [G]"Darlin’, won’t you stay home just one [D]time?"
He’d just [G]smile and [C]say, “I’m [G]sorry,
But [C]there’s no need to [Am]worry,
Just gonna [G]meet some [C]army [G]buddies,
Drink some beer and [D7]fight the [G]war.”
Chorus
She said, “I’m [D]going to Cali[D7]fornia,
To taste the [C]sunshine and the [G]wine,
Sit be[C]side the rolling [G]ocean,
And slowly pass the [D7]time,
Reading [G]books and [C]old love [G]stories,
And for[C]get about my [Am]worries,
And [G]maybe, [C]who knows, [G]maybe,
We’ll [D]meet a[D7]gain some [G]time.”
🪕 FINGERPICKING TAB (Verse 1 + Chorus)
Use a Travis-picking pattern (steady bass, alternating between 6th–4th or 5th–4th strings).
Right-hand roles:
T (thumb): bass notes (E/A/D)
I (index): G string
M (middle): B string
Pattern per bar (4/4):
T I M I T I M I
🎸 TAB — Verse 1
[G]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
E|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
He was never there when needed, and [C]oh how much she [Am]pleaded...
[C]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
A|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
[Am]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|
D|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
A|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
🎸 TAB — Chorus (same picking pattern)
[D]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------3---------|------3---------|------3---------|------3---------|
G|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|
D|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|
A|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
She said I'm going to Cali[D7]fornia...
[D7]
e|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|
D|0---------------|0---------------|
A|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|
To taste the [C]sunshine and the [G]wine...
Then continue alternating G–C–G–D7 in the same fingerpicking style through the rest of the chorus.
Johnny McEvoy Sheet Music Going To California In D Major
Isla Grant And Johnny McEvoy song Going To California
Below is the list of songs that are in the ebooks. This is the largest collection of tin whistle sheet music songs ever put together.[About 800 songs ]
All of the songs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of this ebook is €7.50 and it will be emailed to you after payment.
Going to California sheet music / tin whistle notes included.
All of the songs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of this ebook is €7.50 and it will be emailed to you after payment.
Going to California sheet music / tin whistle notes included.
