Refrain:
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone, yes, winter's coming 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 riding after me
Riding after me, yes, coming after me
High sheriff and police riding after me
And I feel like I've gotta travel on

Refrain

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

Refrain

Want to see my honey, want to see her bad
Want to see her bad, oh, I want to see her bad
Want to see my honey, want to see her bad
She's the best gal this poor boy's ever had

Refrain

And I feel like I've gotta travel on (3x)