Standard (EADGBE)

 I've laid around and played around,

this old town too long

Summer's almost gone,

yes, winter's comin' on

I've laid around and played around,

this old town too long,

 and I feel like I 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 comin' on

I've laid around and played around,

this old town too long,

 and I feel like I gotta travel on

High sheriff and police riding after me

 Riding after me, yes, coming after me

High sheriff and police coming after me

 And I feel like I gotta travel on

 I've laid around and played around,

this old town too long

Summer's almost gone,

yes, winter's comin' on

I've laid around and played around,

this old town too long,

 and I feel like I gotta travel on

Want to see my honey

Want to see her bad

Want to see her bad

Oh, want to see her bad

Want to see my honey

Want to see her bad,

 She's the best girl

 This poor boy ever had

 I've laid around and played around,

this old town too long

Summer's almost gone,

yes, winter's comin' on

I've laid around and played around,

this old town too long,

 and I feel like I gotta travel on