[Verse 1]
I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia
California on my mind
I straddled that Greyhound rolling outta Raleigh
And on across Carolin'
We stopped in Charlotte, we bypassed Rockhill
We never was a minute late
Ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown
Rollin' outta Georgia State

[Verse 2]
We had motor trouble that turned into a struggle
Halfway across Alabam'
Then the 'Hound broke down and it left us all stranded
In downtown Birmingham
Right away I bought me a through train ticket
Ridin' 'cross Mississippi clean
And we was on the Midnight Flyer out of Birmingham
Smokin' into New Orleans
Somebody help me get out of Louisiana
Just help me get to Houston town
There are 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
And put luggage in my hand
And I woke up high over Albuquerque
On a jet to the promised land
[Verse 3]
Workin' on a T-bone steak a la carte
And flyin' over to the Golden State
When the pilot told me that in thirteen minutes
We would sit us at the terminal gate
Swing down chariot, come in 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 is on the line