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