I've laid around and played around this old town too long,
summer's almost gone, yes, winter's coming on.
I've laid around and played around this old town too long,
And I feel like I've gotta travel on.

Poppa writes to Johnny, but Johnny can't come home.
Johnny can't come home, no, Johnny can't come home.
Poppa writes to Johnny, but Johnny can't come home,
'Cause he's been on the chain gang too long.

I've laid around and played around this old town too long,
summer's almost gone, yes, winter's coming on.
I've laid around and played around this old town too long,
And I feel like I've gotta travel on.