Billy Base

SONG INFORMATION

Origin: Traditional (US, first published in 1927)
Music is adapted from a traditional folk tune "Yonder Comes the High Sheriff" and has been released under various names without lyrics.
First recording and first release as 'Done Laid Around' by The Weavers (1958)
Lyrics were written by Paul Clayton, David Lazar, Larry Ehrlich, Fred Hellerman, Pete Seeger, Lee Hays (The Weavers)
Also released as "Gotta Travel On" by Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys (1959)

LYRICS

I’ve laid around and played around this old town too long
Summers almost gone, winters coming on
I’ve laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I’ve gotta travel on

Poppa writes to Johnny but Johnny can’t come home
Johnny can’t come home, no, Johnny can’t come home
Poppa writes to Johnny but Johnny can’t come home
Cause he’s been on the chain gang too long

High sheriff and police riding after me
Riding after me, yes, coming after me
High sheriff and police riding after me
And I feel like I’ve gotta travel on

Want to see my honey, want to see her bad
Want to see her bad, oh, want to see her bad
Want to see my honey, want to see her bad
She’s the best gal this poor boy ever had