I was riding number nine,
heading south from Caroline
I heard that lonesome whistle blow

I got in trouble had to roam,
I left my gal `n left my home
I heard that lonesome whistle blow

Just a kid acting smart
I went and broke my darlings heart
I guess I was too young to know
They took me off that Georgia main
locked me to a ball and chain
I heard that lonesome whistle blow

All alone I bear the shame,
I`m a number not a name
I heard that lonesome whistle blow

All I do is sit and cry,
when that evenin` train goes by
I heard that lonesome whistle blow

I`ll be locked here in this cell,
till my bodys just a shell
And my hair turns whiter than snow
I`ll never see that gal of mine,
I`m in Georgia doin` time
I herd that lonesome whistle blow