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.