I left my home in Norfolk Virginia

California on my mind

I straddled that Greyhound

And rode into Raleigh

And on across Caroline

I had motor trouble that turn into a struggle

Halfway across Alabam'

And that hound broke down and left me all stranded

In downtown Birmingham

Right away I brought me a through train ticket

Ridin' across Mississippi clean

And I was on that midnight flyer out of Birmingham

Smoking into New Orleans

Somebody help 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 brought me a silk suit

And put luggage in my hand

And I woke up high over Albuquerque

On a jet to the Promised Land

Working on a T-bone steak a la carte

Flying over to the golden state

When the pilot told me in thirteen minutes

He would set us at the terminal gate

Oo, Swing low 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 o nine

Tell the folks back home this is the Promised Land calling

And the poor boy is on the line

Swing low 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 o nine

Tell the folks back home this is the Promised Land calling

And the poor boy is on the line

Tell the folks back home this is the Promised Land calling

And the big boy is on the line