I hear that train a comin' it's rollin' round the bend
But I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
Cause I'm stuck in Folsom Prison time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone

Well when I was just a baby my mama told me son
Always be a good boy don't ever play with guns
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
And when I hear that whistle blowin' I hang my head and I cry

[ harmonica ]
I'll bet there's rich folks eatin' in some fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffeee and smokin' big cigars
Well I know I had it comin' and I know I can't be free
But those people keep a movin' and that's what tortures me

Well if they freed me from this prison if that railroad train was mine
I'll bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line
Far from Folsom Prison that's where I want to stay
Then I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away