He was riding Number 9 Heading south from Caroline He heard that long lonesome whistle blow Got in trouble, had to roam Left his gal and left his home He heard that long lonesome whistle blow Just a kid, acting smart He went and broke his darling's heart I guess he was too young to know They took him off the Georgia Main Locked him to a ball and chain He heard that long lonesome whistle blow All alone he bears the shame He's a number, not a name He heard that long lonesome whistle blow All he does is sit and cry When the evening train goes by He heard that long lonesome whistle blow He'll be locked there in this cell 'Til his body's just a shell And his hair turns whiter than snow He'll never see that gal he pines He's in Georgia doing time He heard that long lonesome whistle blow