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I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia |
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California on my mind |
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Straddled that Greyhound |
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It rode me past Raleigh, and on across Caroline |
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Stopped in Charlotte and bypassed Rock Hill |
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And we never was a minute late |
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We was ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown |
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Rollin' 'cross the Georgia state |
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Had motor trouble it turned into a struggle |
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Half way 'cross Alabama |
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The 'Hound broke down left us all stranded |
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In downtown Birmingham |
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Straight off bought me a through train ticket |
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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 |
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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 |
