I left my gal in the mountains left her standin' in the rain
I went down to the station caught myself a midnight train
I made my way to Georgia landin' in a gamblin' town
I got myself in trouble shot a county sheriff down shot a county sheriff down

The jury read my verdict murder in the first degree

The judge said take that prisoner to the penitentiary
They put the handcuffs on me put me on the pullman train

They took me to Atlanta and tied me to a ball and chain tied me to a ball and chain

[ harmonica ]

I left my gal in the mountains left her standin' all alone

I dreamed last night I got a letter saying baby won't you please come home

She said that she was lonely told me that her love was true

I dreamed I answered that letter saying I'm a coming home to you

I'm a coming home to you

But I woke up this morning lying in Atlanta jail

I had no one to love me no one to go my bail

Prison bars around me the guard walking by my door

My heart's sad and lonely cause I'll never see my gal no more

Never see my gal no more