(Words & music by Chuck Berry)
  I left my home in Norfolk Virginia
  California on my mind
  I straddled that Greyhound
  And rode into Raleigh
  And on across Caroline
    We had motor trouble that turn into a struggle
  Halfway across Alabam'
  And that hound broke down and left us 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 the poor boy down
    Sure as you're born brought me a silk suit
  Put luggage in my hand
  And I woke up high over Alberquerque
  On a jet to the promised land
    Working on a T-bone steak a la carte
  Flying over to the golden state
  Ah 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 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
    Working on a T-bone steak a la carte
  Flying over to the golden state
  Ah 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 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