Left my home in Norfolk, Virginia
California on my mind
Straddled that Greyhound, it rode me past Raleigh
And 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
Had motor trouble it turned into a struggle
Halfway cross Alabam
The hound broke down
Left us all stranded in downtown Birmingham
Straight off bought me a through train ticket
Right across Mississippi clean
And I was on the midnight flyer out of Birmingham
Smoking into New Orleans
Somebody help me get out of Louisiana
Just help me get to Houston town
Cause people are there who care a little about me
They wont let the poor boy down
Sure as she youre born, she 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
And flying over to the Golden State
The pilot told us in thirteen minutes
Wed be headin in the terminal gate
Swing low sweet chariot, come down easy
Taxi to the terminal zone
Cut your engines, cool your wings
And let me make it to the telephone
Los Angeles, give me Norfolk, Virginia
Tidewater four ten oh nine
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin
And the poor boys on the line
Thanks folks, were gonna take a short break
Yall can do whatever you want to