Chorus:
  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.
  
  (Chorus)
  
  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.
  
  (Chorus)
  
  And I feel like I gotta travel, done laid around, done stayed around this old town too long.