I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone, yes, winter's comin' on 
I've laid around and played around this old town too long 
And I feel like I 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. 

I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone, yes, winter's comin' on 
I've laid around and played around this old town too long 
And I feel like I gotta travel on 

High sheriff and police riding after me, 
Riding after me, yes, coming after me. 
High sheriff and police coming after me, 
And I fee like I gotta travel on. 

I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone, yes, winter's comin' on 
I've laid around and played around this old town too long 
And I feel like I 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 girl, this poor boy ever had. 

I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone, yes, winter's comin' on 
I've laid around and played around this old town too long 
And I feel like I gotta travel on