I left my gal in the mountains left her standin' in the rain
I went down to the station caught myself a midnight train
I made my way to Georgia landin' in a gamblin' town
I got myself in trouble shot a county sheriff down shot a county sheriff down
The jury read my verdict murder in the first degree
The judge said take that prisoner to the penitentiary
They put the handcuffs on me put me on the pullman train
They took me to Atlanta and tied me to a ball and chain tied me to a ball and chain
[ harmonica ]
I left my gal in the mountains left her standin' all alone
I dreamed last night I got a letter saying baby won't you please come home
She said that she was lonely told me that her love was true
I dreamed I answered that letter saying I'm a coming home to you
I'm a coming home to you
But I woke up this morning lying in Atlanta jail
I had no one to love me no one to go my bail
Prison bars around me the guard walking by my door
My heart's sad and lonely cause I'll never see my gal no more
Never see my gal no more