Intro:       A           E           A           A      
       A                          D       A
I was ridin' Number Nine, headin' south from Caro-line.
                  E             A
I heard that lone - some whistle blow.
                                          D      A
I got in trouble, had to roam. I left my gal; I left my home.
                 E              A
I heard that lone - some whistle blow.
      D                            A
Just a kid actin' smart, I went and broke my darlin's heart.
                          E
I guess I was too young to know.
              A                     D           A
They took me off in Georgia main, locked me to a ball and chain.
                 E              A
I heard that lone - some whistle blow.

Interlude:
      A           E           A           A      
       A                          D    A
All a-lone I bare the shame. I'm a number, not a name.
                 E              A
I heard that lone - some whistle blow.
                                   D        A
All I do is sit and cry when that ev'ning train goes by.
                 E              A
I heard that lone - some whistle blow.
         D                               A
I'll be locked here in this cell till my body's just a shell,
                               E
And my hair turns whiter than snow.
           A                            D      A
I'll never see that gal of mine. I'm in Georgia, doin' time.
                 E              A
I heard that lone - some whistle blow.