I was riding number nine
heading south from Caroline
I heard that lonesome whistle blow

I got in trouble, had to roam
I left my gal, I 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 the 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 that 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
I'm in Georgia doing time
I heard that lonesome whistle blow

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