The song "Promised Land" by Dave Edmunds tells the story of a journey from Norfolk, Virginia to California. The protagonist leaves his hometown with California on his mind. He takes a Greyhound bus, starting from Norfolk and passing through Raleigh, North Carolina, and Charlotte. The bus continues through Rock Hill, South Carolina, Georgia State, and Atlanta. However, they encounter motor trouble in Alabama, and the bus breaks down in Birmingham, leaving them stranded. Determined to reach his destination, the protagonist buys a train ticket to Mississippi and catches the midnight flyer train from Birmingham to New Orleans. He then asks for help to get out of Louisiana and reach Houston, as he knows there are people who care about him there. With their assistance, he acquires a silk suit and boards a jet that takes him high above Albuquerque, heading towards the "promised land." During the flight, the pilot announces that they will land in the Golden State (California) in thirteen minutes. The protagonist anxiously waits to arrive so he can call his loved ones back home in Norfolk, Virginia. He references the spiritual song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" as a metaphor for the plane descending gently. The lyrics capture the longing for success and a better life symbolized by the promised land of California. It also reflects the determination to overcome obstacles and the anticipation of reconnection with loved ones.
