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 had motor trouble that turned into a struggle
Halfway across Alabama
And that `Hound broke down and left us all
Stranded in Downtown Birmingham

Right away I bought me a through train ticket
Ridin' across Mississippi clean
And I was on the Midnight Flyer out of Birmingham
Smokin' into New Orleans
Somebody helped me get out of Louisiana
Just to help me get to Houston Town
There are people there who care a little about me
And they won't let a poor boy down
Sure as you're born, they bought me a silk suit
They got luggage in my hand
And I woke 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 get us at the Terminal zone
Swing low, chariot, come down easy
Taxi to the Terminal line
Cut your engines and cool your wings
And let me make it to the telephone
Los Angeles, give me Norfolk, Virginia Tidewater 41009
Tell the folks back home this is the Promised Land callin'
and the poor boy's on the line