The Promised Land

I left my home in Norfolk Virginia, California on my mind. We straddled that Greyhound, rode him into Raleigh, On across Caroline. We stopped at Charlotte and bypassed Rock Hill, We never was a minute late. And we was ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown, Rollin' outa Georgia state. We had motor trouble it turned into a struggle, Half way 'cross Alabam, When that 'hound broke down and left us all stranded In downtown Birmingham. So right away I bought me a through train ticket, Right across Mississippi clean And I was on that midnight flyer outa Birmingham Smoking into New Orleans. Somebody help me get out of Louisiana Just help me get to Houston town. Well 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, Put luggage in my hands, And I woke up high over Albuquerque On a jet to the promised land. Workin' on a T-bone steak a la carte Flying 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 zone; Cut your engines, an cool your wings, And let me make it to the telephone. Los Angeles give me Norfolk Virginia, Dial forty four ten O nine And tell the folks back home this is the promised land Callin' And the poor boy's on the line. --- The Promised Land - Dave Edmunds