I was riding number nine, a-headin' south from Caroline
I heard that lone-woa-woa-some whistle blow
Got in trouble, had to roam
Left my gal and left my home
I heard that lone-woa-woa-some 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
And locked me to a ball and chain
I heard the lone-woa-woa-some whistle blow

All alone I bear the shame, I'm a number not a name
I heard the lone-woa-woa-some whistle blow
All I do is sit and cry whеn the evenin' train goеs by
I heard the lone-woa-woa-some whistle blow

I'll be locked here in this cell 'til my body's just a shell
And my hair it turns whiter than snow
I'll never see that gal of mine, Lord I'm in Georgia doin' time
I heard that lone-woa-woa-some whistle blow