Chorus:
I've laid around and stayed around this ol' town too long
Summer's almost gone, winter's comin' on
I've laid around and stayed around this ol' town too long
An' I feel like I've gotta travel on

v.1
High sherriff and the police ridin' after me
Ridin' after me, yeah comin' after me
High sherriff and the police are ridin' after me
And I feel like I gotta travel on

Rpt. Ch.

v.2
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 that chain gang too long

Rpt. Ch.

v.3
I wanna see my honey, wanna see her bad
I wanna see her bad, Lord, gotta see her bad
I wanna see my honey, wanna see her bad
She's the best gal this poor boy ever had

Rpt. Ch.