Folsom Prison Blues
Chon Travis Lyrics
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And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
Well, I'm stuck in Folsom Prison and time keeps draggin' on
Oh, and that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone
When I was just a baby my mama told me
Son, always be a good boy, don't you ever play with guns
Well, I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
Let's go
Well, I bet there's rich folks eatin' in that fancy dinin' car
They're probably drinkin' coffee and smokin' big cigars
Well, I know I had it comin', I know I can't be free
When those people keep a movin' and that's what tortures me
One more time
Oh, if they freed me from this prison, if that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it on on a little farther down the line
Far from Folsom Prison that's where I want to stay
Oh, and I'd let that lonesome whistle sing my blues away
In Chon Travis's song Folsom Prison Blues, the lyrics depict the perspective of a prisoner who is stuck in Folsom Prison. The first verse describes the train that the prisoner hears coming in the distance while he is stuck in prison. The prisoner longs to be free to go to San Antone, but time seems to be dragging on in the prison. The second verse reflects on the prisoner's youth and how his mother advised him to be good and not play with guns. However, the prisoner disregarded his mother's advice and ended up shooting a man in Reno. Whenever he hears the train whistle blow, he feels regretful and cries.
The third verse describes how the prisoner imagines that there are wealthy individuals on the train enjoying the luxuries of life, such as coffee and cigars. The fourth and final verse expresses the prisoner's desire to be free from the clutches of Folsom Prison. He longs to have his own train to move away from the prison and to be far away from it. He states that the sound of the train whistle would help to alleviate his misery.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I hear the train a comin', it's rollin' 'round the bend
I can hear the sound of a train coming from afar, it's slowly making its way around the curve.
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
It's been so long since I've experienced joy or freedom, I can't recall the last time I saw the sun.
Well, I'm stuck in Folsom Prison and time keeps draggin' on
I'm trapped within the confines of Folsom Prison, and each day feels longer than the last.
Oh, and that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone
As the train passes by, it continues along its journey to San Antonio, seemingly mocking my stagnant existence.
When I was just a baby my mama told me
When I was a child, my mother imparted valuable wisdom upon me.
Son, always be a good boy, don't you ever play with guns
My mother warned me not to misbehave, and specifically cautioned me against playing with firearms.
Well, I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
Despite my mother's advice, I callously took the life of another human being in Reno, just to witness their final moments.
When I hear that whistle blowin' I hang my head and cry
Whenever I hear the train whistle, I am reminded of my actions and feel overwhelming guilt and sorrow.
Let's go
An exclamation to begin the next section of the song.
Well, I bet there's rich folks eatin' in that fancy dinin' car
I imagine that the wealthy passengers aboard the train are indulging in luxurious dining within a posh car.
They're probably drinkin' coffee and smokin' big cigars
I envision those same affluent travelers enjoying coffee and smoking large cigars, living a life of leisure and privilege.
Well, I know I had it comin', I know I can't be free
I recognize that I brought this fate upon myself and that true freedom is out of reach for me.
When those people keep a movin' and that's what tortures me
My greatest pain comes from watching others continue to move forward with their lives while I remain trapped in my own misery.
One more time
An exclamation to repeat the chorus one final time.
Oh, if they freed me from this prison, if that railroad train was mine
In a hypothetical scenario where I was released from prison and owned the train, I could finally escape this place.
I bet I'd move it on on a little farther down the line
I would move the train as far away from Folsom Prison as possible, perhaps in search of a new life.
Far from Folsom Prison that's where I want to stay
Given the opportunity, I would choose to live as far away from Folsom Prison as possible for the rest of my life.
Oh, and I'd let that lonesome whistle sing my blues away
The sound of the train whistle, often a symbol of sadness and loneliness, would provide catharsis and help alleviate my sorrows.
Contributed by Lila S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.