I was ridin' number nine
headin' 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 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
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 ev'ning 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 the snow
i'll never see that gal of mine
lord, i'm in georgia, doin' time
i heard that lonesome whistle blow