The Doobie Brothers China Grove Lyrics

China Grove" is a song from The Doobie Brothers' 1973 album The Captain and Me. It was written by original main singer/songwriter Tom Johnston.[1] The song is based on a real town in Texas with the same name. The connection is obvious given its real-life proximity to San Antonio, which is referenced in the lyrics. However, the rest of the song is largely a fictional account portraying China Grove as Texas' version of Chinatown. Notable is the mention of samurai, who in fact are Japanese, not Chinese.The song reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100. When the sun comes up on a sleepy little town Down around San Antone And the folks are risin for another day Round about their homes The people of the town are strange And they're proud of where they came Well, you're talkin bout china grove Oh, china grove Well, the preacher and the teacher Lord, they're a caution They are the talk of the town When the gossip gets to flyin And they ain't lyin When the sun goes fallin down They say that the father's insane And dear missus Perkins a game Were talkin bout the china grove Oh, china grove But every day theres a new thing comin The ways of an oriental view The sheriff and his buddies With their samurai swords You can even hear the music at night And though it's a part of the lone star state People don't seem to care They just keep on lookin to the east Talkin bout the china grove Oh, china grove