(i heard that) lonesome whistle blow

i was ridin' number nine

headin' south from caroline

i heard that lonesome whistle blow

i got in trouble

had to roam

left my gal and my home

i heard that lonesome whistle blow

just a kid acting smart

i went and broke my darlin's heart

i guess i was to young to know

they took me off the georgia main

locked me to a ball an' chain

i heard that lonesome whistle blow

all alone i bear the shame

i'm a number

not a name

i heard that lonesome whistle blow

all i do is sit an' cry

when that evening train goes by

i heard that lonesome whistle blow

i'll be locked here in this cell

'til my body's just a shell

and my hair turns whiter than snow

i'll never see that gal of mine

i'm in georgia doin' time

i heard that lonesome whistle blow