Well, judge looked down gave me forty days
Instead of the fine that I could not pay
Said walk right you'll soon be home
Cross the line and you're on your own

Forty days of shotguns and barbed wire fences
Forty nights to sit an listen
to the midnight train to Memphis

Well now, whistle blows when the Sun comes up
Head to floor keep your big mouth shut
Eat your breakfast on the ground
Work like hell till the Sun goes down

Forty days of shotguns and barbed wire fences
Forty nights to sit an listen
to the midnight train to Memphis

Well now, 10 for the jury 10 for the judge
20 More to forget my grudge
When I get to 39
That's the longest day in a prisoner's mind

Forty days of shotguns and barbed wire fences
Forty nights to sit an listen
to the midnight train to Memphis

Midnight train to Memphis
Midnight train to Memphis
Oh the midnight train to Memphis