I was ridin' Number Nine, heading south from Caroline I heard that lonesome whistle blow Got in trouble, had to roam, left my gal and left my home I heard that lonesome whistle blow
Just a kid acting smart, I went and broke my darling's heart I guess I was too young to know They took me off to Georgia Main, locked me to a ball and chain I heard that lonesome whistle blow
All alone I bear the shame, I'm a number not a name I heard that lonesome whistle blow All I do is sit and cry when the evening train goes by I heard that lonesome whistle blow
I'll be locked here in this cell till my body's just a shell And my hair turns whiter than snow I'll never see that gal of mine, Lord, I'm in Georgia doing time I heard that lonesome whistle blow.