I left my home in norfolk virginia,
California on my mind.
Caught a bus and rode past raleigh,
On across caroline.

We had motor trouble it turned into a struggle,
Half way cross alabam,
And that hound broke down and left us all stranded
In downtown birmingham.

Straight off, I bought me a through train ticket,
Halfway cross Alabam
I didn't go and I rode that sucker
All the way down yonder land

Somebody help me get out of Mississippi
Just help me get to houston town.
Theres people there who care a little bout me
And they wont let the poor boy down.

Sure as I'm born, they bought me a silk suit,
Put money in my hands,
And I woke up high over albuquerque
On a jet to the promised land.

Right away had me t-bone steak a la carte so lean
Flying over to the golden state;
The pilot told me it won't be long
Wed be headin in the terminal gate.

I know what I'm gonna do soon as I leave this plane
Headed for the telephone call back home and this is what I'm sayin'
Operator won't you please dial Tidewater four ten o nine
This is the poor boy callin' from the promised land

Copyright: BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Word Collections Publishing
Writer(s): Chuck Berry