Melon-rising California sun Drifting in a day not yet begun Six o'clock and peaceful and serene Floating in a Technicolor scene Something nearly peaceful in the sound Rising from the San Andreas ground Overground, it starts to feel strange Underground, it starts to rearrange You'd better get up And run for a doorway No time for thinking Your life is at stake Everyone's doing the California Shake California Shake Non‑believing, everybody waits Shifting on the continental plates Thunder far below the ocean floor Damned impartial sub-terrestrial war Wond'ring if you're going to survive God, it feels like eight point four or five Fifteen seconds holding your breath Living through a microscopic death You'd better hold on The worst isn't over No time for thinking Your life is at stake Everyone's doing the California Shake California Shake