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[Verse 1]

A                                 D              A
I was ridin' Number Nine, headin' south from Caroline.
                  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]

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[Verse 2]

A                                 D             A
All alone I bear 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.