Promised Land
Veggie Tales: Veggie Tunes Vol. 2 Lyrics
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California on my mind.
Straddled that Greyhound, rode him past Raleigh,
On across Caroline.
Stopped in Charlotte and bypassed Rock Hill,
And we never was a minute late.
We was ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown,
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,
Ridin' cross Mississippi clean
And I was on that midnight flier out of Birmingham
Smoking into New Orleans.
Somebody help me get out of Louisiana
Just help me get to Houston town.
There's 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,
The pilot told me in thirteen minutes
We'd be headin' in the terminal gate.
Swing low sweet chariot, come down easy
Taxi to the terminal zone,
Cut your engines, 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 callin'
And the poor boy's on the line.
The song "Promised Land" by Veggie Tales: Veggie Tunes Vol. 2, is a cover of a classic song originally performed by Chuck Berry. The song recounts the experience of a person leaving their home in Norfolk, Virginia, to search for their dreams in California. The singer travels on a Greyhound bus from Virginia to Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, facing motor troubles and a breakdown in Birmingham. However, the singer perseveres and ultimately travels by plane to California, the "promised land." Along the way, they encounter people who help and care for them, giving them hope for a better future.
The song is a metaphor for the American Dream, which is the idea that anyone, regardless of social status or background, can achieve prosperity and success through hard work and determination. The singer's journey represents the struggles and setbacks that individuals face while pursuing their dreams, but ultimately, the kindness of strangers and their own perseverance lead them to success.
Line by Line Meaning
I left my home in Norfolk Virginia, California on my mind.
I had a strong desire to go to California, so I left my hometown of Norfolk, Virginia.
Straddled that Greyhound, rode him past Raleigh, On across Caroline.
I took a Greyhound bus and traveled through Raleigh, North Carolina and across South Carolina.
Stopped in Charlotte and bypassed Rock Hill, And we never was a minute late.
I stopped in Charlotte, North Carolina and also bypassed Rock Hill, South Carolina, while still remaining on schedule.
We was ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown, Rollin' 'cross the Georgia state.
We made great time and were already ninety miles out of Atlanta by sunset, driving through the state of Georgia.
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.
We experienced engine trouble while driving through Alabama, leaving us stranded in downtown Birmingham, Alabama.
Straight off, I bought me a through train ticket, Ridin' cross Mississippi clean
I immediately purchased a train ticket to avoid further car trouble and traveled through Mississippi on the train.
And I was on that midnight flier out of Birmingham Smoking into New Orleans.
I left Birmingham on a late-night flight smoking cigarettes and arrived in New Orleans.
Somebody help me get out of Louisiana Just help me get to Houston town. There's people there who care a little 'bout me And they won't let the poor boy down.
I asked someone for help leaving Louisiana and getting to Houston, Texas where I knew I had people who cared about me and would help me.
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.
The people in Houston helped me by buying me a new suit and giving me luggage, and then I woke up on a plane flying high over Albuquerque, headed to my desired destination.
Workin' on a T-bone steak a la carte Flying over to the Golden State, The pilot told me in thirteen minutes We'd be headin' in the terminal gate.
While flying to California, I enjoyed a T-bone steak as we approached the Golden State, and the pilot informed me that we were only thirteen minutes from landing.
Swing low sweet chariot, come down easy Taxi to the terminal zone, Cut your engines, cool your wings, And let me make it to the telephone.
I was eager to arrive at the terminal zone, so I asked the plane to land safely and quickly so I could make a phone call.
Los Angeles give me Norfolk Virginia, Tidewater four ten O nine Tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin' And the poor boy's on the line.
I called my hometown of Norfolk, Virginia from Los Angeles and asked someone there to tell everyone back home that I was calling from my desired destination - the promised land - and that I was safe.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MALIK YUSEF EL SHABBAZ JONES, STEVE MCKEEVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind