I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia, California on my mind
I straddled that Greyhound and rode him into Raleigh and on across Caroline
We had motor trouble that turned into a struggle halfway across Alabam'
Well, that 'hound broke down and left us all stranded in downtown Birmingham
Right away, I bought me a thorough train ticket right across Mississippi clean
I was on that midnight flyer out of Birmingham, Smokin' into New Orleans
Somebody help me get out of Louisiana, just help me get to Houston town
There are people there who care a little about me
And they won't let the poor boy down, take it
Sure as you're born, they bought me a silk suit, put luggage in my hand
And I woke up high over Albuquerque on a jet to the Promised Land
A-workin' on a T-bone steak à la carte, flyin' over to the Golden State
When the pilot told us in 13 minutes, he would set us at the terminal gate
Swin' low, chariot, come down easy, Taxi to the terminal zone
Cut your engines and cool your wings and let me make it to the telephone
Los Angeles, get me Norfolk, Virginia, Tidewater 4-1009
Tell the folks back home this is the Promised Land callin'
And the poor boy is on the line
A-workin' on a T-bone steak à la carte, flyin' over to the Golden State
When the pilot told us in 13 minutes, he would set us at the terminal gate
Swin' low, chariot, come down easy, Taxi to the terminal zone
Cut your engines and cool your wings and let me make it to the telephone
Los Angeles, give me Norfolk, Virginia, Tidewater 4-1009
Tell the folks back home this is the Promised Land callin'
And the poor boy is on the line
