Capo on fret #3 
 
Intro: G D G 
 
G 
I was ridin' Number Nine, 
C                       G     
Headin' south from Caroline. 
G                     D         G 
I heard that lonesome whistle blow. 
G 
Got in trouble, had to roam, 
C                          G 
Left my gal an' left my home. 
G                   D           G 
I heard that lonesome whistle blow. 
 
 
C 
Just a kid, actin' smart, 
                  G 
I went and broke my darling's heart, 
                             D 
I guess I was too young to know. 
G          
They took me off the Georgia Main, 
C                         G 
Locked me to a ball and chain. 
G                    D          G 
I heard that lonesome whistle blow. 
 
 
Intro /G D G/ 
 
 
G 
All alone I bear the shame, 
C                     G 
I'm a number, not a name. 
G                   D           G 
I heard that lonesome whistle blow. 
G                  
All I do is sit an' cry 
C                            G 
When the evenin' train goes by. 
G                  D            G 
I heard that lonesome whistle blow. 
 
 
C 
I'll be locked here in this cell 
                   G 
Till my body's just a shell 
                                D 
An' my hair turns whiter than snow. 
G 
I'll never see that gal of mine. 
C                            G 
Lord, I'm in Georgia doin' time. 
G                   D            G 
I heard that lonesome whistle blow.