The Promised Land

I left my home in Norfolk Virginia

California on my mind

I boarded that Greyhound

Rode in into Raliegh on across Caroline

Stopped in Charlotte to by pass Rockhill

We never was a minute late

We were ninty miles out of Atlanta by sundown

Rollin' out of Georgia state

We had motor trouble that turned into a struggle

Halfway across Alabam

And that bow broke down

And left us stranded in downtown Birmingham

Right away I bought a through train ticket

Got across Mississippi clean

And I was on that Midnight Flyer out of Birmingham

Smokin' into New Orleans

Somebody help me get out of Louisiana

Help me get to Houston Town

There are people there who care a little 'bout me

And won't put the poor boy down

Georgia born, they bought me a silk suit

And put luggage in my hand

And woke up high over Albuquerque

On a jet to the promised land

Workin' on a T-bone ala cartee

Flyin' over to the Golden State

When the pilot told us in thirteen minutes

He would set us at the terminal gate

Swing low chariot, come down easy

Taxi to the terminal door

Cut your engines and cool your wings

And let me make it to the telephone

Los Angeles, give me Norfolk Virginia

Tidewater four ten o nine

Tell all the folks back home

It's the promised land callin'

And the poor boy is on the line