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

High sheriff and police ridin' after me ridin' after me yes comin' after me
High sheriff and police they're comin' after me and I feel like I've gotta travel on
I've laid around and played around

Well I wanna see my honey and I wanna see her bad
Wanna see her bad oh wanna see her bad
I wanna see my honey wanna see her bad she's the best gal this poor boy ever had
I've laid around and played around
Travel on travel on travel on