G                                                    
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
                     C              G                       
Summers almost gone, winters coming on
                                                           
I've laid around and played around this old town too long 
 G7    C              D7          G                            
And I feel like I've gotta travel on

                                                          
                                                           
Poppa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home          
                        G7  C                 G             
Johnny can't come home, no, Johnny can't come home
                                                           
Poppa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home
 G7         C           D7             G                 
Cause he's been on the chain gang too long



                                             
High sheriff and police riding after me
                  G7               G                     
Riding after me, yes, coming after me
                                                     
High sheriff and police riding after me
G7     C               D7         G                
And I feel like I've gotta travel on 



                                           
Want to see my honey, want to see her bad
                      G7   C             G                  
Want to see her bad, oh, want to see her bad
                                                       
Want to see my honey, want to see her bad
 G7        C             D7            G                
She's the best gal this poor boy ever had