Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm bumm)

Ridin' in a boxcar
On the old Sante Fe
On my way from Texas
To California

I feel the time has come
To rest my weary bones
So I'm writin' here
The very last will
Of hobo Jonnie Jones

(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm bumm)

To my sister Kate
In New Orleans
I leave the memory of those things
She fed me
When I knocked upon her door

I'm leavin' her
That woodpile jo
She can have my goldwatch bob (?)

Farewell, Johnnnie's comin' home
Farewell, Johnnnie's comin' home

(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm bumm)

To my brother Sam
In Alabam'
I leave the memory of that ham
We stole
From farmer Brown one day

I'm leavin' you
The dreams we had
Sorry mine
Turned out so bad

Farewell, Johnnnie's comin' home
Farewell, Johnnnie's comin' home

(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm bumm)

To my daddy
In my old home town
If my daddy's still around
Then save
That fishin' rod we made

Daddy take that fishin' rod
And catch us both a mess of cod

Farewell, Johnnnie's comin' home
Farewell, Johnnnie's comin' home

(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm)
(Bum bumm bumm bumm)

To my mother up
In heaven above
Awaitin' there
For me with love

Tell her I never more will roam
Mother, mother, wait for me
Open up those gates for me
Mamma your Jonnie's comin' home
(Come home)
Mamma your Jonnie's comin' home
(Come home)
Mamma your Jonnie's comin' home!