Promised Land

Well, I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia
California on my mind
I straddled that Greyhound, and rolled in into Raleigh
And all across Carolina
Had motor trouble, it turned into a struggle
Half way 'cross Alabam'
Well, that 'Hound broke down and then left us all stranded
In downtown Birmingham

Right away, I bought me a through train ticket
Ridin' 'cross Mississippi clean
I was on that midnight flier out of Birmingham
Smoking 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 'bout me
And they won't let the poor boy down

Sure as you were born, they bought me a silk suit
Put luggage in my hand
Then they bowl me up high over Albuquerque
On a jet to the promised land
Workin' on a T-bone steak, I had a party
Flying 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 zone
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 the folks back home, this is the promised land callin'
And your poor boy's on the line

Workin' on a T-bone steak, I had a party
Flying 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 zone
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 the folks back home, this is the promised land callin'
And the poor boy's on the line
Tell the folks back home, this is the promised land callin'
And the poor boy's on the line