I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone 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 are ridin' after me ridin' after me oh they're ridin' after me
High sheriff and police are ridin' after me and I feel like I've gotta travel on
Papa writes to Johnny Johnny can't come home
No Johnny can't come home ahah 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
Gotta see my baby gotta see her bad gotta see her bad oh I gotta see her bad
Gotta see my baby gotta see her bad she's the best friend this poor boy ever had
I've laid around and played around...
Oh I feel like I've gotta travel on oh I feel like I've gotta travel on