Lonesome Whistle
Lonesome Whistle: Journey of Regret and Redemption
Lyrics
I was ridin' No. 9
I was riding on train No. 9
Heading south from Carolina
Traveling south from Carolina
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
Heard a melancholy whistle sound
I've got in trouble, I had to roam
Encountered trouble, had to wander
Left my girl and I left my home
Left my girl and my home behind
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
Heard that lonesome whistle again
Just a kid actin' smart
A young person acting clever
I went and broke my darlin' heart
Broke my sweetheart's heart
I guess, I was
Expressing regret for actions
I was too young, too young to know
Realizing I was too young to understand
They took me off the Georgia Main
Transferred from the Georgia Main
Locked me to a ball and chain
Chained and imprisoned
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
Recalling the lonesome whistle's sound
All alone I bear the shame
Bearing shame and reduced to a number
I'm a number not a name
Feeling dehumanized, just a number not a name
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
Hearing the haunting whistle once more
I'll be locked here in this cell
Imprisoned in a cell, facing a bleak future
Till my body's just a shell
Anticipating physical and emotional decay
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
Reiterating the forlorn sound of the whistle
Just a kid actin' smart
Reflecting on past actions as a young person
I went and broke my darlin' heart
Acknowledging breaking a loved one's heart
I guess, I was
Repeating the sentiment of youthful ignorance
I was too young, too young to know
Understanding the lack of wisdom due to youth
I'll never see that girl of mine
Expressing the impossibility of reuniting with the girl
I'm in Georgia, doin' time
Serving time in Georgia, separated from loved ones
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
Hearing the lonesome whistle, a symbol of despair
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
Reiterating the haunting sound of the lonesome whistle
Heard that lonesome whistle blow
Confirming the pervasive presence of the forlorn whistle
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