On a rattlesnake speedway in the Utah desert
I pick up my money and head back into town
Driving 'cross the Waynesboro county line
I got the radio on and I'm just killing time
Working all day in my daddy's garage
Driving all night chasing some mirage
Pretty soon little girl I'm gonna take charge

The dogs on Main Street howl
'Cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land

I've done my best to live the right way
I get up every morning and go to work each day
But your eyes go blind and your blood runs cold
Sometimes I feel so weak I just want to explode
Explode and tear this whole town apart
Take a knife and cut this pain from my heart
Find somebody itching for something to start

The dogs on Main Street howl
'Cause they understand
If I could wrench one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land

Well there's a dark cloud rising from the desert floor
I packed my bags and I'm heading straight into the storm
Gonna be a twister to blow everything down
That ain't got the faith to stand its ground
Blow away the dreams that tear you apart
Blow away the dreams that break your heart
Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted

The dogs on Main Street howl
'Cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land

And I believe in a promised land
And I believe in a promised land


Lyrics submitted by Flutter49

Promised Land Lyrics as written by Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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The Promised Land song meanings
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  • +3
    General Comment

    I have always been delighted by Bruce's purposeful use of place names and locations, ALWAYS making it seem familiar, yet the places he seems to pinpoint don't really exist! (Almost like no one being able to figure out where "Springfield" in the Simpsons really is.) My favorite (as a Utah resident) is in "Promised Land", where he leaves "Rattlesnake Speedway in the Utah desert" and travels across the "Waynesboro County line". The only Waynesboro County in the US is in Virginia!

    My other favorite, as an Ohio native, is "Highway Patrolman". The only "Perrineville" in the US is in New Jersey. Frank has Ohio plates. He is chased through "Michigan County" (there is no "Michigan County" in any state), to the Canadian border, the closest access from Ohio being Michigan!

    msgelteron May 14, 2006   Link

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