[Verse 1]
I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia
California on my mind
Straddled that Greyhound, it rode me past Raleigh
And on across Carolin'
Stopped in Charlotte and bypassed Rock Hill
And we never was a minute late
And we was ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown
Rolling across the Georgia state
Had motor trouble, it turned into a struggle
Halfway across Alabam'
The Hound broke down
And left us all stranded in downtown Birmingham

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 2]
Straight off bought me a through train ticket
Right across Mississippi clean
And I was on that midnight flyer out of Birmingham
Smoking into New Orleans
Now somebody help me get out of Louisiana
Just help me get to Houston town
Therе's people therе who care a little about me
And they won't let the poor boy down
Well, 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
[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3]
Working on a T-bone steak a la carte
And flying over to the Golden State
The pilot told us in thirteen minutes
We'd be heading in 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 oh nine
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land calling
And the poor boy's on the line