The Promised Land

I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia

California on my mind

I stranded that Greyhound

And rode in into Raleigh and on across Caroline



We stopped in Charlotte to by-pass Rockhill

We never was a minute late

We were ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown

Rollin' out of Georgia state



We had motor trouble that turned into a struggle

Halfway across Alabama

And that bow broke down

And left us all stranded in downtown Birmingham



Right away I bought me a through train ticket

Got across Mississippi clean

And I was on that Midnight Flier 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 they won't put the poor boy down



Georgia born, they bought me a silk suit

And put luggage in my hand

And I woke up high over Albuquerque

On a jet to the promised land



Workin' on a T-bone [Incomprehensible] 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



And 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