Well, judge looked down, gave me forty days
Instead of the fine that I could not pay
Said, "Walk right, you'll soon be home
Cross the line, you'll be on your own"

Forty days of shotguns and barbed wire fences
Forty nights to sit an listen
To the midnight train to Memphis

Well now, whistle blows when the sun comes up
Hit the floor, keep your big mouth shut
Eat your breakfast on the ground
Work like hell 'til the sun goes down

Forty days of shotguns and barbed wire fences
Forty nights to sit an listen
To the midnight train to Memphis

Well now, ten for the jury, ten for the judge
Twenty more to forget my grudge
When I get to thirty nine
That's the longest day in a prisoner's mind

Forty days of shotguns and barbed wire fences
Forty nights to sit an listen
To the midnight train to Memphis

Midnight train to Memphis

Midnight train to Memphis

Oh, the midnight train to Memphis

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