When the sun comes up on a sleepy little town Down around San Antone And the folks are risin' for another day Roundabout their homes The people of the town are strange And they're proud of where they came Well, you're talkin bout China Grove (China) Oh-oh-oh, China Grove, oh-oh-oh 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 Mrs. Perkins a game We're talkin' 'bout the China Grove (China) Oh-oh-oh, China Grove, oh-oh-oh But every day there's 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 (China) Oh-oh-oh, China Grove, oh-oh-oh