I left my home in Norfolk Virginia

California on my mind

Straddled that greyhound, rode him past Raleigh

On across Caroline



Stopped in Charlotte and bypassed rock hill

And we never was a minute late

We was ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown

Rollin' 'cross the Georgia state



We had motor trouble it turned into a struggle

Half way 'cross Alabama

And that 'hound broke down and left us all stranded

In downtown Birmingham



Straight off, I bought me a through train ticket

Ridin' 'cross Mississippi clean

And 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's people there who care a little 'bout 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 hands

And I woke up high over Albuquerque

On a jet to the promised land



Workin' on a T-bone steak a la carte

Flying over to the golden state

Oh, when the pilot told me us in thirteen minutes

He was headin' at the terminal gate



Swing low sweet 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