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I left my home in norfolk virginia, california on my mind. |
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Straddled that greyhound, it rode me past raleigh, and on across caroline. |
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Stopped in charlotte and bypassed rock hill, and we never was a minute late. |
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We was ninety miles out of atlanta by sundown, rollin' 'cross the georgia state. |
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Had motor trouble it turned into a struggle, half way 'cross alabam, |
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The 'hound broke down left us all stranded in downtown birmingham. |
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Straight off bought me a through train ticket, right across mississippi clean |
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And i was on the midnight flyer out of birmingham |
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Smoking into new orleans. |
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Somebody help me get out of louisiana |
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Just help me get to houston town. |
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People are there who care a little 'bout me |
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And they won't let the poor boy down. |
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Sure as she bore me, she bought me a silk suit, put luggage in my hands, |
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And i woke up high over albuquerque |
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On a jet to the promised land. |
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Workin' on a t-bone steak a la carte, |
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Flying over to the golden state; |
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When the pilot told us in thirteen minutes |
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We'd be headin' in the terminal gate. |
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Swing low sweet chariot, come down easy |
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Taxi to the terminal zone; |
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Cut your engines, cool your wings, |
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And let me make it to the telephone. |
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Los angeles give me norfolk virginia, |
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Tidewater four ten on nine |
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Tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin' |
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And the poor boy's on the line. |