i was ridin' number nine
headin' south from caroline. i heard that lonesome whistle blow. got in trouble
had to roam
left my gal an' left my home. i heard that lonesome whistle blow. just a kid
actin' smart
i went and broke my darling's heart
i guess i was too young to know. they took me off the georgia main
locked me to a ball and 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 set an' cry
when the evenin' train goes by. i heard that lonesome whistle blow. i'll be locked here in this cell
till my body's just a shell
an' my hair turns whiter than snow. i'll never see that gal of mine. lord
i'm in georgia doin' time. i heard that lonesome whistle blow.