I hear that train a comin' it's rollin' round the bend

And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when

I'm stuck in Folsom Prison and time keeps dragging on

But that freight train keeps a rolling on down to San Antone

Well when I was just a baby my mama told me son

Bocephus be a good boy don't ever play with guns

But I killed a man in Shreveport just to watch him die

When I hear that whistle blowing I hang my head and I cry

I bet there's rich folks eatin' in a fancy dining car

They're prob'ly drinking coffee and smoking big cigars

But I know I had it coming I know I can't be free

But those people keep a moving and that's what tortures me

[ guitar ]

Well if they freed me from this prison if that railroad train was mine

I bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line

Far from Folsom Prison that's where I wanna stay

Then Lord I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away

Oh Lord I'd let that lonesome whistle blow all my blues away