DESCRIPTION:
Download the mp3, lyrics and additional materials from Discovery Education Streaming
http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid/87121114-C5DE-40C1-9ADB-674A3C940400

50 States Album: A 50-song album covering the basic history, geography, and economic structure of each state in the U.S.
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkFXQnAzKU78Hz2833mKnet48DwqAuPD7

http://lodgemccammon.com/

Lyrics/Explanation -

Verse 1:
As Europeans do in 1542
They arrive with Rodriguez Cabrillo
230 years pass, the missionaries move fast
When Spain builds some presidios and pueblos
Mexico wins their independence and gets Alta California (A.C.)
Foreigners flooding in - they'll settle, trap, and trade with ya
War with America breaks over expansionist claims
Mexico loses A.C. to the states

Explanation:
The first European expedition to arrive in California (CA) was led by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542.
In 1770 Spanish Missionaries started settling in CA, and Spanish military forces built presidios (forts) and pueblos (towns).
Mexico wins their independence from Spain in 1821 and gains control of Alta California (Nueva California) consisting of CA, NV, AZ, UT, CO & WY.
Starting in the 1820s, traders, settlers and trappers started to arrive from the U.S., Canada and Russia.
In 1847 the U.S. won the Mex-Am War and took over most of Alta California meeting the desire to expand territory.

Chorus:
Eureka! This California Republic, short lived and barely dreamed away
When people came west to find some gold here in the Golden State
Eureka! We're the 31st in 1850, a compromise, a play
We came in free to stop the western expansion of slavery

Explanation:
CA state motto is Eureka - an exclamation of joy when something is discovered.
The Bear Flag Revolt took place in 1846. CA became an independent republic with William B. Ide as the president. This was short lived because once the Mex-Am War was over in 1847, the U.S. claimed CA.
After 1847, gold was discovered in CA and a massive influx of people from the U.S, Europe, China and other countries arrived in the "Golden State," CA's nickname.
As part of the Compromise of 1850, CA was admitted as the 31st U.S. state. It entered as a free state, stopping the expansion of slavery to the Pacific coast.

Verse 2:
On the Pacific west coast
Sacramento's the most in the heart of this lush central Cali
Contiguous highest of highs and the lowest that lies
From Mount Whitney to hot Death Valley
The Ring of Fire brings floods, landslides and the Santa Ana Winds
Along the San Andreas Fault, tens of thousands of earthquakes begin
The California extremes, Mojave in the southeast
Up north - Sierra Nevada's quite snowy

Explanation:
In the center of the state by Sacramento (the capital) is the Central Valley. This is the agricultural heartland of CA, divided in two by the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
CA has both the highest and lowest point in the contiguous U.S. The highest point is Mt. Whitney in the Sierra Nevada. The lowest point is Death Valley, northeast of the Mojave Desert.
The Ring of Fire is an area that stretches along the CA coast that is home for volcanic activity and earthquakes. This area is also known for floods, wildfires and the Santa Ana Winds.
The San Andreas Fault is along the coast of CA and is responsible for multiple earthquakes every day.
CA is a land of diversity and extremes. In the southeast there is a the Mojave Desert which is hot and dry. North of the Mojave is the Sierra Nevada mountain range which is Spanish for "snowy range."

Bridge:
Climb a redwood in the northwest forest
Plant the poppy by the sequoia trees
Watch a Valley Quail soar over the heartland
While heading south toward the Mojave
We're going south toward the Mojave

Explanation:
State Tree: California Redwood
State Flower: California Poppy
In the Sierra Nevada there is the Sequoia National Park where you will find the famous sequoia trees - the largest living organisms on earth.
State Bird: Valley Quail

Verse 3:
A major hub for trade since the 1820s
Imports and exports on our western coast
Fresh fruit and vegetables made in the central valley
Brings crowds on highways and railroads
In the 1920s Los Angeles attracted Hollywood
Then we grew Silicon Valley with startups and venture capital, dude
We're known for movies and music, beautiful beaches and food
Cali's got everything to fit the mood

Explanation:
http://tinyurl.com/EurekaSong