D  A  D 
 
D                   D7 
I was riding Number Nine 
        G              D 
Headin' south from Carolin' 
                 A7           D  
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 
 
G 
Just a kid actin' smart 
           D 
I went and broke my darlin's heart 
                           A7 
I guess I was too young to know 
 
             D               D7 (etc.) 
They took me off the Georgia Main 
Locked me to a ball and chain 
I heard that lonesome whistle blow 
 
D  A  D 
 
All alone I bear the shame 
I'm a number, not a name 
I heard that lonesome whistle blow 
 
All I do is set and cry 
When the evenin' train goes by 
I heard that lonesome whistle blow 
 
        G 
I'll be locked here in this cell 
       D 
Til my body's just a shell 
                              A7 
And my hair turns whiter than snow 
 
           D               D7    
I'll never see that gal of mine 
Lord, I'm in Georgia doing time 
I heard that lonesome whistle blow