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 this chain gang too long. 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.
High sheriff and police ridin' after me Ridin' after me yes they're comin' after me High sheriff and police ridin' after me And I feel like I've gotta travel on. Want to see my honey want to see her bad Want to see her bad oh want to see her bad Want to see my honey want to see her bad She's the best gal this poor boy ever had. 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. And I feel like I've gotta travel on...