I've laid around and played around this old town too long   Summer's almost gone yes winter's comin' on   I've laid around and played around this old town too long   And I feel like I gotta travel on      Well papa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home   Johnny can't come home no Johnny can't come home   Papa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home   Cause he's been on the chain gang too long      High sheriff and police ridin' after me ridin' after me yes comin' after me   High sheriff and police they're comin' after me and I feel like I've gotta travel on   I've laid around and played around...      Well I wanna see my honey and I wanna see her bad   Wanna see her bad oh wanna see her bad   I wanna see my honey wanna see her bad she's the best gal this poor boy ever had   I've laid around and played around...   Travel on travel on travel on