Done laid around, done stayed around
This old town too long
Summer's almost gone, winter's coming on
Done laid around, done stayed around
This old town too long
And it seems like I've got to travel on
And it seems like I've got to travel on

Papa writes to Johnny: Johnny, can't you come home?
Johnny, can't you come home? Johnny, can't you come home?
Papa writes to Johnny: Johnny, can't you come home?
Johnny's been out on the road too long
Done laid around, done stayed around
This old town too long
And it seems like I've got to travel on
And it seems like I've got to travel on

That chilly wind will soon begin and I'll be on my way
Going home to stay, going home to stay
That chilly wind will soon begin and I'll be on my way
And I feel like I just want to travel on
Done laid around, done stayed around
This old town too long
And it seems like I've got to travel on
And it seems like I've got to travel on

There's a lonesome freight at 6:08 coming through the town
I'll be homward bound, I'll be homeward bound
There's a lonesome freight at 6:08 coming through the town
And I feel like I just want to travel on
Done laid around, done stayed around
This old town too long
And it seems like I've got to travel on
And it seems like I've got to travel on