He was ridin' number nine
Headin' south from Caroline
He heard that lonesome whistle blow
Got in trouble had to roam
Left his gal and left his home
He heard that lonesome whistle blow
Just a kid actin' smart
He went and broke his darling's heart
I guess he was too young to know
They took him off the Georgia Main
Locked him to a ball and chain
He heard that lonesome whistle blow
All alone he bears the shame
He's a number not a name
He heard that lonesome whistle blow
All he does is sit and cry
When the ev'nin' train goes by
He heard that lonesome whistle blow
He'll be locked here in this cell
Til his body's just a shell
And his hair turns whiter than snow
He'll never see that gal he
He's in Georgia doin' time
He heard that lonesome whistle blow
