Promised Land
Grateful Dead
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I left my home in Norfolk Virginia, California on my mind. Straddled that Greyhound, it rode me past Raleigh, and 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. Had motor trouble it turned into a struggle, half way 'cross Alabam, The 'hound broke down left us all stranded in downtown Birmingham. Straight off bought me a through train ticket, right across Mississippi clean And I was on the midnight flyer out of Birmingham Smoking into New Orleans. Somebody help me get out of Louisiana Just help me get to Houston town. People are there who care a little 'bout me And they won't let the poor boy down. Sure as she bore me, she 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, When the pilot told us 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 oh nine Tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin' And the poor boy's on the line.
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2 facts about this song
Chuck BerryChuck Berry originally wrote and recorded "Promised Land" in 1965. The song was released on Chess Records, a historic label famous for blues and early rock and roll.
- Critics regard "Promised Land" as Chuck Berry's geographical love letter to America. It details a journey from the East Coast to the West Coast, mentioning numerous cities and states along the way.
- The song's lyrics, framed as a telephone call, were written while Berry was incarcerated in 1961-1962. Despite his circumstances, the song's energetic pace and upbeat rhythm convey a hopeful message.
- Chuck Berry's "Promised Land" draws inspiration from "The Wabash Cannonball," an American folk song about a fictional train.
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Grateful DeadThe version of "Promised Land" by the Grateful Dead is a cover of Berry's original, and became a staple in the band's live repertoire.
- The Grateful Dead first began performing the song live in 1971, appearing in over 400 concerts within their career.
- Jerry Garcia, the lead guitarist of Grateful Dead, cited Chuck Berry as a significant influence on his guitar style, which can be heard in their rendition of "Promised Land."
- The band's performances of "Promised Land" were often improvised, following their approach of transforming covers into unique interpretations. Their versions varied in length, style, and energy depending on the show.
- In some live recordings of the Grateful Dead's version, the band tweaks the lyrics to express their countercultural roots. For example, in a 1972 performance in San Francisco, instead of singing, "Los Angeles, give me Norfolk, Virginia," the band sings, "Los Angeles, forget about Norfolk, Virginia," reflecting their West Coast allegiances.
- The song is featured in the Grateful Dead’s 1972 live album "Europe '72: Vol. 2" and many other live albums.
- 'Promised Land' was often used as an opening song in concerts by the Grateful Dead, setting the tone for the rest of the live performance.
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"Promised Land Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/28895313/Grateful+Dead/Promised+Land>.
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