(i heard that) lonesome whistle

he was riding number 9

heading south from caroline

he heard that long lonesome whistle blow

got in trouble

had to roam

left his gal and left his home

he heard that long lonesome whistle blow

just a kid

acting smart

he went and broke his darling's heart

i guess he was too young to know

they took him off the georgia main

locked him to a ball and chain

he heard that long lonesome whistle blow

all alone he bears the shame

he's a number

not a name

he heard that long lonesome whistle blow

all he does is sit and cry

when the evening train goes by

he heard that long lonesome whistle blow

he'll be locked there in this cell

'til his body's just a shell

and his hair turns whiter than snow

he'll never see that gal he pines

he's in georgia doing time

he heard that long lonesome whistle blow