Well I hear the train a comin' she's gonna rollin' round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
But I'm stuck in Folsom Prison oh the time keeps draggin' on
And that train keep a rollin' on down to San Antone

Well now I bet there's rich folks eatin' in a fancy dining car
I bet they're drinkin' coffee chewin' on big cigars
But I know I had it comin' now I know I can't be free
And that train keep a movin' and Lord that's what tortures me

[ guitar ]
Well when I was just a baby my mama told me son
Always be a good boy don't you mess around with guns
But I shot a man in Reno stood there to watch him die
And when I hear that whistle blowing oh I hang my head and I cry

Well if they freed me from this prison if that railroad train was mine
Bet I'd move it on just a little bit farther down the line
Away from Folsom Prison that's where I want to stay I got to stay now
And I'd let that lonesome whistle let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away