Folsom Prison Blues
The Nashville Riders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's rollin' 'round the bend,
And I ain't seen the sunshine
Since, I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a-rollin'
On down to San Antone
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 whistle blowin'
I hang my head and cry
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
In a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee
And smokin' big cigars
But I know I had it comin'
I know I can't be free
But those people keep a-movin'
And that's what tortures me
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
Far from Folsom Prison
That's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
Blow my blues away
The lyrics of The Nashville Riders' song "Folsom Prison Blues" explore the experiences and emotions of a prisoner stuck in Folsom Prison. The song opens with the singer hearing the sound of a train approaching, which symbolizes freedom and escape. However, they lament that they haven't seen the sunshine in a long time, indicating their prolonged confinement.
The singer reflects on their past, recollecting their mother's advice to always be a good person and not engage in violence. Ironically, they confess that they shot a man in Reno just to witness his death, demonstrating a darker side to their character. When they hear the whistle of the train, they feel remorse and sadness, hanging their head and crying.
The song contrasts the singer's life in prison with the lives of wealthy individuals who are likely enjoying luxurious meals and indulging in vices aboard a fancy dining car. The singer acknowledges that they deserve their imprisonment and that they cannot be freed. The continuous movement of people outside the prison, represented by the train, becomes a source of torment for them.
In the final verse, the singer fantasizes about being freed from Folsom Prison and having ownership of the train. They imagine moving far away from the prison, leaving their blues behind. This longing for freedom and escape is a recurring theme throughout the song.
Overall, "Folsom Prison Blues" captures the despair, longing, and remorse experienced by a prisoner trapped in Folsom Prison, while also reflecting on the consequences of their actions and yearning for a different life.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the train a comin'
I can hear the sound of a train approaching
It's rollin' 'round the bend
It's moving in a circular path, coming closer
And I ain't seen the sunshine
I haven't seen the sunlight
Since, I don't know when
For a long period of time that I can't remember
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
I am confined in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
Time seems to pass very slowly
But that train keeps a-rollin'
But the train continues moving forward
On down to San Antone
Heading towards San Antone
When I was just a baby
When I was very young
My Mama told me, 'Son
My mother advised me, my child
Always be a good boy
Always behave well
Don't ever play with guns, '
Never engage in playing with guns
But I shot a man in Reno
But I killed a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
Only to witness his death
When I hear that whistle blowin'
When I hear the sound of the whistle
I hang my head and cry
I feel remorseful and express my sadness
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
I imagine wealthy individuals enjoying their meal
In a fancy dining car
Inside an extravagant dining compartment of the train
They're probably drinkin' coffee
They are likely consuming coffee
And smokin' big cigars
And smoking large cigars
But I know I had it comin'
However, I am aware that I deserved it
I know I can't be free
I understand that I cannot attain freedom
But those people keep a-movin'
But those individuals continue to progress
And that's what tortures me
And that is what causes me great distress
Well, if they freed me from this prison
Well, if they released me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
If I owned that train
I bet I'd move out over a little
I would likely move away a bit
Farther down the line
Towards a greater distance along the train tracks
Far from Folsom Prison
Distant from Folsom Prison
That's where I want to stay
That is where I desire to remain
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
And I would allow that sad whistle
Blow my blues away
To dispel my feelings of sadness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind