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

High sheriff and police ridin' after me
Ridin' after me yes comin' after me
High sheriff and police ridin' after me
And I feel like I've gotta travel on

I've laid around and played around...

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

I've laid around and played around...
Travel on travel on travel on