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