I've laid around played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone, winter's comin' on
I've laid around 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
He's been on that chain gang too long

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

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

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

Wanna see my baby, wanna see her bad
Wanna see her bad, I've gotta see her bad
Wanna see my baby, I wanna see her bad
She's the best gal this poor boy ever had

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