I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia
California on my mind
I boarded that Greyhound, rode in into Raliegh
On across Caroline

Stopped in Charlotte to bypass Rock Hill
We never was a minute late
We were ninty miles out of Atlanta by sundown
Rollin' out of Georgia state

We had motor trouble that turned into a struggle
Halfway across Alabam
And that bow broke down and left us stranded
In downtown Birmingham

Right away, I bought a through train ticket
Got across Mississippi clean
And I was on that Midnight Flyer out of Birmingham
Smokin' into New Orleans

Somebody help me get out of Louisiana
Help me get to Houston town
There are people there who care a little 'bout me
And won't put the poor boy down

Georgia born, they bought me a silk suit
And put luggage in my hand
And woke up high over Albuquerque
On a jet to the promised land
Workin' on a t-bone a la carte
Flyin' over to the Golden State
When the pilot told us in thirteen minutes
He would set us at the terminal gate

Swing low, chariot, come down easy
Taxi to the terminal door
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 all the folks back home it's the promised land callin'
And the poor boy is on the line