I was ridin' No 9 headin' south from Caroline I heard that lone-vow-vow-some whistle blow Got in trouble had to roam I left my gal and left my home I heard that lone-vow-vow-some 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 that Georgia Main locked me to a ball and chain I heard that lone-vow-vow-some whistle blow [ steel ] All alone I bear the shame I'm a number not a name I heard that lone-vow-vow-some whistle blow All I do is sit and cry when the evening train goes by I heard that lone-vow-vow-some 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 lone-vow-vow-some whistle blow