Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. This week we’re asked to go with Promise, Vow, or Oath and I’ve chosen to link to the word Promise.
If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.
The song I’ve chosen is Promised Land originally recorded by Chuck Berry to the melody of “Wabash Cannonball“, an American folk song.
In the lyrics, the singer (who refers to himself as “the poor boy”) tells of his journey from Norfolk, Virginia, to the “Promised Land”, Los Angeles, California, mentioning various cities in Southern states that he passes through on his journey. It has subsequently been performed by numerous other artists, including the Grateful Dead which should please Jim!!!
However, I reckon that the best cover of this song was provided by Johnnie Allan
He was Born in Rayne, Louisiana, and grew up in a musical family. At age six he obtained his first guitar and by age thirteen he was playing with Walter Mouton and the Scott Playboys, a traditional Cajun music band. About two years later he switched to Lawrence Walker and the Wandering Aces, another traditional Cajun band.
Throughout the 1960s he pursued his music career while developing a distinguished career in education and would often use the school PA system to advertise his latest records!
He combined his love and expertise in music and education as the author of two books on Cajun culture.
Just look at this album cover. What a fantastic head of hair!
I’m including two versions of the song. The original recording and a later supposedly live performance where they were miming!
Now that is accordion playing at its best!
California on my mind
I straddled that Greyhound
And rode into Raleigh
And on across Caroline
Halfway across Alabam’
And that hound broke down and left us all stranded
In downtown Birmingham
Ridin’ across Mississippi clean
And I was on that midnight flyer out of Birmingham
Smoking into New Orleans
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
Put luggage in my hand
And I woke up high over Alburquerque
On a jet to the promised land
Flying over to the golden state
Ah when the pilot told us in thirteen minutes
He would set us at the terminal gate
Taxi to the terminal zone
Cut your engines and cool your wings
And let me make it to the telephone
Tidewater four ten o nine
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land calling
And the poor boy is on the line
Flying over to the golden state
Ah when the pilot told us in thirteen minutes
He would set us at the terminal gate
Taxi to the terminal zone
Cut your engines and cool your wings
And let me make it to the telephone
Tidewater four ten o nine
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land calling
And the poor boy is on the line
Thanks again to Jim Adams, who hosts Song Lyric Sunday and gives us the chance to share lots of familiar, and some not so familiar, songs. This week he’s asked us to share Duets.
Thank you to Jim Adams, who hosts Song Lyric Sunday and gives us the chance to share lots of familiar, and some not so familiar, songs. This week we have a brand new badge, designed at great expense by Jim, who has sweated day and night to bring it to us. So, this week, it is a double thank you Jim.
Thank you to Jim Adams, who hosts Song Lyric Sunday and gives us the chance to share lots of familiar, and some not so familiar, songs.
