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

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

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

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

And I feel like I gotta travel, done laid around, done stayed around this old town too long