I left my gal in the mountains I left her standing in the rain I went down to the depot caught myself a midnight train Made my way down to Georgia land it in a gambling town Got myself in trouble 'cause I shot a county sheriff down
The jury read my verdict murder in the first degree The judge said take that prisoner to the penitentiary They put the handcuffs on me put me on the pullman train Took me to Atlanta tied me to a ball and chain I left my gal in the mountains I left her standing all alone Last night I dreamed I got a letter saying baby won't you please come home She told me that she loved me said that she loved me true Then I dreamed I wrote a letter saying I'm a coming home to you
Then I awoke up this morning lyin' in Atlanta jail No one here to love me no one to go my bail Prison bars all around me the guard walking by my door I'm so sad and lonely 'cause I'll never see my gal no more I'll never see my gal no more