I was riding Number Nine Headin' south from Carolin' 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 actin' smart I went and broke my darlin's heart I guess I was too young to know (etc.) They took me off the 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 set and cry When the evenin' train goes by I heard that lonesome whistle blow I'll be locked here in this cell Til my body's just a shell And my hair turns whiter than snow I'll never see that gal of mine Lord, I'm in Georgia doing time I heard that lonesome whistle blow