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

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

Cause I'm stuck in Folsom Prison time keeps draggin' on

But that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone

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

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

But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die

And when I hear that whistle blowin' I hang my head and I cry

[ harmonica ]

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

They're probably drinkin' coffeee and smokin' big cigars

Well I know I had it comin' and I know I can't be free

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

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

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

Far from Folsom Prison that's where I want to stay

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