“In the mid-70’s I got into a cab in Houston and the cabbie, knowing who I was, said, ‘I always wanted to ask you, man… Why in the world did you write a song about China Grove?'”
“I said, ‘There’s no such place. I made it up.’ And then the cabbie said, ‘No, there really is a China Grove and it’s exactly where you said.’”
– Tom Johnston,
author of the song
CHINA GROVE, TEXAS (Bexar County).
China Grove is on U.S. Highway 87 nine miles east
of downtown San Antonio in eastern Bexar County.
China Grove incorporated in the 1960s,
and by 1970 the population was 254.
“I must have seen a road sign for China Grove when we
were driving into San Antonio in the Winnebago for a
concert in 1972. But I sure don’t remember it.”
– Tom Johnston
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
Woh oh oh
Woh 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 Mrs. Perkin’s a game..
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 China Grove
Woh oh oh
Woh oh, China Grove