Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry (born October 18, 1926) is an immensely influential American guitarist, singer, and composer, and one of the pioneers of rock & roll music. Berry was born in St. Louis, Missouri and was part of the first group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on its opening in 1986. Though playing what was considered Rhythm & Blues (R & B), in retrospect Berry is now seen by many as more of a rockabilly (rather than R & B) singer. However, he was the real poet of 1950s rock 'n' roll.
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Promised Land Lyrics
Chuck Berry
I left my home in norfolk virginia,
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,
Rollin cross the georgia state.
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 flyer out of birmingham
Smoking into new orleans.
Somebody help me get out of louisiana
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 youre 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
Wed 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 boys on the line