Promised Land

I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia

California on my mind

Straddled that Greyhound

It rode me past Raleigh, and on across Caroline

Stopped in Charlotte and bypassed Rock Hill

And we never was a minute late

We was ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown

Rollin' 'cross the Georgia state

Had motor trouble it turned into a struggle

Half way 'cross Alabama

The 'Hound broke down left us all stranded

In downtown Birmingham

Straight off bought me a through train ticket

Right across Mississippi clean

And I was on the midnight flyer out of Birmingham

Smoking into New Orleans

Somebody help me get out of Louisiana

Just help me get to Houston town

People are there who care a little 'bout me

And they won't let the poor boy down

Sure as she bore me, she bought me a silk suit

Put luggage in my hands

And I woke up high over Albuquerque

On a jet to the promised land

Workin' on a T-bone steak a la carte

Flying over to the Golden State

When the pilot told us in thirteen minutes

We'd be headin' in the terminal gate

Swing low sweet chariot, come down easy

Taxi to the terminal zone

Cut your engines, cool your wings

And let me make it to the telephone

Los Angeles give me Norfolk, Virginia

Tidewater four ten on nine

Tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin'

And the poor boy's on the line