A    E    A
[Verse]
A
I was ridin' Number Nine
        D              A
Headin' south from Caroline
                E             A
I heard that lonesome whistle blow.
A
I got in trouble, I had to roam
        D               A
Left my gal and left my home
[Chorus]
A               E             A
I heard that lonesome whistle blow.
[Verse]
       D
Just a kid actin' smart
           A
I went and broke my darlin's heart
                           E
I guess I was too young to know.
             A
They took me off the Georgia Main
         D              A
Locked me to a ball and chain
[Chorus]
                E             A
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
A    E    A
[Verse]
A
All alone I bear the shame
      D             A
I'm a number, not a name
                E             A        F#m
I heard that lonesome whistle blow.
      A
All I do is sit and cry
          D       A
When that evening train goes by
[Chorus]
                E             A
I heard that lonesome whistle blow.
[Verse]
        D
I'll be locked here in this cell
        A
'Til my body's just a shell
                              E
And my hair turns whiter than snow
     A                
I'll never see that gal of mine
       D             A
I'm in Georgia doing time
                E             A        Am    A