Promised Land

I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia
California on my mind
I straddled that Greyhound and rode it into Raleigh
And on across Caroline
We stopped in Charlotte to bypass Rocky
And we never was a minute late
We were ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown
Rolling out of Georgia state

We had more troubles that turned into a struggle
At Wake Forest, Alabam'
And that Hound broke down and left us all stranded
In downtown Birmingham

Right away I bought me a through train ticket
Right across Mississippi clean
And I was on that Midnight Flyer out of Birmingham
Smoking into New Orleans

Somebody help me get out of Louisiana
Just a-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

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

Working on a T-bone steak out of money
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 calling
And Baby Ray is on the line

Hey, way out here in the Golden Land
Swimming pools and movie stars and everything
Oh, having a great time
Hey, looky here