I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone yes winter's comin' on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I've gotta travel on

Papa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home
Johnny can't come home no Johnny can't come home
Papa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home
Cause he's been on the chain gang too long
I've laid around...

High sheriff and police ridin' after me
ridin' after me yeah they're comin' after me
High sheriff and police ridin' after me
and I feel like I've gotta travel on
I've laid around...

I wanna see my honey wanna see her bad
Wanna see her bad yeah wanna see her bad
Wanna see my honey wanna see her bad
She's the best girl this poor boy ever had