John Oaks is in the neighborhood

Protecting all the trees

He's the master of irrigation

And he knows what he sees



Grape farmers watering everywhere

Pipes running where they please

John sees his laws are broken

Trees drowning where they breathe



Now John used to be a mellow man

Drinking Chai and smoking weed

Ain't no one in the county

Ever see'd whatever he see'd



John Oaks, John Oaks

John Oaks, John Oaks



Old John rides in his pickup

With rakes and friends in the back

Workers he takes with him

Then he drives them all back



To protect them from the politicians

Using them to get ahead

Preying on the people

Trying to get inside their heads



John Oaks is really stand-up

He won't take shit lying down

He calls it like he sees it

And he puts his money down



John Oaks, John Oaks

John Oaks, John Oaks



One day at the demonstration

John Oaks was standing up

He arrived there at the location

In his old pickup truck



Took a rake in his hand

And his workers by his side

Stood there waiting for his turn

To speak and turn the tide



When he found himself surrounded

By police everywhere

They tried to take his workers to jail

When he grabbed one by his hair



John Oaks, John Oaks

John Oaks, John Oaks



Shots rang out and people yelled

As the police took control

Shot a black man right where he fell

With a sniper on the knoll



John Oaks saw law and order

Was leading him astray

Tried to get back in his pickup

With his workers to get away



That's when the police moved in

And stood there in his way

John started up his pickup

And that was his last day



John Oaks, John Oaks

John Oaks, John Oaks



They said he had a pistol

When the old pickup backfired

And shot him there behind the wheel

And then John Oaks expired



The workers grabbed the rakes

And that's all that I can say

They went to the cemetery

And they stay there to this day



John Oaks, John Oaks

John Oaks, John Oaks



John Oaks, John Oaks

John Oaks, John Oaks