I was ridin' no 9   Heading 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 acting smart   I went and broke my darling's heart   I guess I was too young to know      They took me off to 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 the 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 the snow      I'll never see that gal of mine   Lord, I'm in Georgia doing time   I heard that lonesome whistle blow