Pretty darlin’ I’m going down now you’ve said you don’t want me around
I chased a freight train bound out of mind out of town
To find my peace in old southern sounds

I dreamt you face by the fire side, I screamed your name in the moonlight
Baby please let me come home I can’t make it on my own like a dirty dog
Like a dirty ooohhhooohhoho

I stumbled toward Decatur to go to town for one last round
And I shot poor Louis for the gold he found
I ain’t got my .44 no more and the warden says I’m done for
And darlin I might never see you again

I’m workin’ a shank and counting the days
‘til that warden turns his back after spittin’ in my face
Babe I’m comin home I can’t make it on my own like a dirty dog
Like a dirty ooohhhooohhohooo

I snuck my way back to Baton Rouge
To grab some cash to come home to you
And blew the safe at the county bank
I was stuffin’ bills in my coat pocket
Runnin’ home through swamp and thicket
Found my way to our front door

I was peekin’ through the shades to find your face
And there’s another man layin’ where I used to lay
Only two shots rang loud I dug two holes in the ground like a dirty dog
Like a dirty ooohhhooohhohooo
I dreamt your face your face by the fireside
I screamed your name in the moonlight
Babe please let me come home I can’t make it on my own like a dirty dog
Like a dirty ooohhhooohhohooo