Folsom Prison Blues
Merle Haggard Lyrics

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I hear that train a comin', it's comin' 'round the bend
I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
I'm locked in Folsom Prison and time keeps draggin' on
And I hear that train 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 ever play with guns"
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die

When I hear that lonesome whistle I hang my head and I cry

I bet there's rich folks eatin' in a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee and smokin' big cigars
Well, I know I had it comin', I know I can't be free
But I hear that train a-rollin' and that's what tortures me

Well, if they freed me from this prison and that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it over a little farther down the line

Far from Folsom Prison that's where I long to be
And let that train keep rollin' and roll my blues away

Overall Meaning

The song “Folsom Prison Blues” is a reflection on the struggles of life in prison. The song starts with the singer hearing the sound of a train coming through his window in Folsom Prison. This sound causes him to reminisce on the outside world, where he hasn’t seen the sunshine in a long time. He wonders how things would be different if he were free, and able to ride the train to San Antone. However, he knows that it is unlikely that he will ever be set free since he shot a man in Reno just to watch him die. Whenever he hears the whistle of the train, he hangs his head and cries since it reminds him of his past actions.

The song continues with the singer realizing that there are people outside of the prison walls who are living better lives than him. They are probably drinking coffee and smoking big cigars on the fancy dining car of the train as they pass by the prison. The singer knows that he had it coming and that he can never be free from the consequences of his actions. The only thing that he can do is listen to the train and let his blues fade away. Throughout the song, the sound of the train represents freedom that is elusive to the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

I hear the train a comin'
The sound of the approaching train is a constant reminder of the free life that the singer no longer has.

It's rollin' 'round the bend
The train tracks curve around the prison, so the singer can hear it coming from a distance.

And I ain't seen the sunshine Since, I don't know when
The singer has been locked in prison for so long that he can't remember the last time he saw the sun.

I'm stuck in Folsom Prison And time keeps draggin' on
Prison life is monotonous and never-ending, making time feel like an eternity.

But that train keeps a-rollin' On down to San Antone
The train never stops running, which adds to the singer's feelings of being stuck in prison.

When I was just a baby My Mama told me, son Always be a good boy Don't ever play with guns
The singer's upbringing taught him that he should stay out of trouble and avoid violence.

But I shot a man in Reno Just to watch him die
The singer committed a violent, tragic act for the thrill of it and feels deep regret about it now.

When I hear that whistle blowin' I hang my head and cry
The sound of the train whistle is a constant reminder of the singer's mistakes and bad choices, causing him to feel remorseful and sad.

I bet there's rich folks eatin' In a fancy dining car They're probably drinkin' coffee And smokin' big cigars
The singer imagines a life of luxury and ease that he will never experience while he's stuck in prison.

But I know I had it comin' I know I can't be free
The singer accepts responsibility for his actions and knows that he deserves to be in prison.

But those people keep a-movin' And that's what tortures me
The world outside of prison keeps moving forward without him, adding to the singer's feelings of isolation and despair.

Well, if they freed me from this prison If that railroad train was mine I bet I'd move out over a little Farther down the line
The singer daydreams about what he would do if he were released from prison.

Far from Folsom Prison That's where I want to stay And I'd let that lonesome whistle Blow my blues away
Despite his longing for freedom, the singer knows that he will never be truly happy if he's always running away from his problems.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Johnny R. Cash

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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