"I have to sit down for - okay, we'll
Do that for you, just a minute
Thank you this young man here at San Quentin
Tonight that wrote a song that I
Just saw written down on paper the first
Time yesterday he sent me the sheet
Music on it, and I don't
Know anybody who reads music
Except maybe Helen and I liked the
Lyrics so much I started singing
My own tune to it, you know
The first thing that came
To my mind let's try a little bit of it
Right here"

I don't know where I'm bound
I don't know where I'm bound
Whistle's calling me away
Leaving at the break of day
And I don't know where I'm bound

Can't stand locks, bars or doors
Mean cops, insanity, and wars
Gotta find a place of peace
Until then, my traveling won't cease
But I don't know where I'm bound
There's got to be a place for me
Under some green growing tree
Clear cool water running by
An unfettered view of the sky
But I don't know where I'm bound

When I die, don't bury me
'Cause then I must be free
Cremate my body with a grin
Throw my ashes to the wind
'Cause I don't know where I'm bound

I don't know where I'm bound
I don't know where I'm bound
Whistle's calling me away
Leaving at the break of day
And I don't know where I'm bound

Got myself a little gal
She has been a downright pal
That old highway's calling me
And free I got to be
But I don't know where I'm bound
I don't know where I'm bound
I don't know where I'm bound