Done laid around, done stayed around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone
Winter's comin' on
Done laid around, done stayed around this old town too long and I feel like I gotta travel on

Papa writes to Johnny
Johnny can't come home
Johnny can't come home, no, Johnny can't come home
Papa writes to Johnny
Johnny can't come home for he's been on the chain gang too long

High sheriff and police comin' after me
Comin' after me, oh, comin' after me
High sheriff and police comin' after me and I feel like I gotta travel on
Want-a see my honey
Want-a see her bad
Want-a see her bad, oh, I want-a see her bad
Want-a see my honey and I want-a see her bad

She's the best gal this poor boy ever had
And I feel like I gotta travel, done laid around, done stayed around this old town too long