I've laid around and played around this old town too long Summers almost gone, winters coming on I've laid around and played around this old town too long And I feel like I've gotta travel on Poppa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home Johnny can't come home, no, Johnny can't come home Poppa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home Cause he's been on the chain gang too long High sheriff and police riding after me Riding after me, yes, coming after me High sheriff and police riding after me And I feel like I've gotta travel on Want to see my honey, want to see her bad Want to see her bad, oh, want to see her bad Want to see my honey, want to see her bad She's the best gal this poor boy ever had