GOTTA TRAVEL ON - Paul Clayton, Larry Ehrlich, David Lazar, Tom Six. The most likely story is that Clayton heard the words of the chorus in a traditional song and incorporated them into an old W.C. Handy melody, probably "Harlem Blues." The other verses were likewise adopted from other earlier songs, making Clayton's piece one that was rather more assembled from earlier sources than actually composed. Recorded by Paul Clayton. “Paul Clayton, John Steinbeck, The Open Road, And ‘Gotta Travel On’”
Chorus:
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone, yes, winter's comin' on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
High sheriff and police, ridin' after me
Ridin' after me, yes, comin' after me
High sheriff and police ridin' after me
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
Papa writes to Johnny, but Johnny can't come home,
Johnny can't come home, no, Johnny can't come home
Papa writes to Johnny, but Johnny can't come home
'Cause he's been on the chain gang too long
Six months on the chain gang, that ain't so very long
Oh, that ain't so very long, that ain't so very long
Six months on the chain gang, that ain't so very long
Oh, and honey if you'll miss me when I'm gone
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
That chilly wind will soon begin, and I'll be on my way
Going home to stay, going home to stay
That chilly wind will soon begin and I'll be on my way
And I feel like I want to travel on
There's a lonesome freight at 6:08 coming through the town
I'll be homeward bound, I'll be homeward bound
There's a lonesome freight at 6:08 coming on through the town
And I feel like I want to travel on