i was ridin'number nine
headin 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 actin smart
i went and broke my darlin'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
fiddle
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 ev'nin'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 doin'time
i heard that lonesome whistle blow
