I laid around and I played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone yes the winter's comin' on
I laid around and I played around this old town too long
And I feel like I've gotta travel on

Well papa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home
Johnny can't come home no Johnny can't come home
Papa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home
Cause he's been on the chain gang too long
Yeah I laid around

Well the high sheriff and police comin' after me
Comin' after me yes a ridin' after me
The high sheriff and police comin' after me
And I feel like I gotta travel on
Yeah I laid around
[ guitar ]
I wanna see my baby wanna see him bad
Wanna see him bad yes I gotta see him bad
I wanna see my honey I wanna see him bad
He's the best man this poor girl ever had
Well I laid around
And I feel like I gotta travel on