Tom: E E I gave my woman half my money at the general store B I said, "Now buy a little groceries, and don't spend no more." E But she gave ten dollars for a ten cent hat A B E And bought some store bought cat food for that mean eyed cat When I woke up this mornin' and I turned my head There wasn't a cotton pickin' thing on her side of the bed I found a little old note where her head belonged It said, "Dear John, honey, baby, I'm long gone." Chorus 1: A When I heard a whistle blowin,' and the big wheels a-turnin' E I was scared as I could be E A I put on my overalls and I headed to town B E Gonna bring her back with me I asked the man down at the station if he'd seen her there I told him all about her pretty eyes and long, blonde hair He spit his tobacco, said, "I'll be dad blamed I believe I did see her leavin' on the east bound train." Chorus 2: I bought a round trip ticket on the east bound train I was broke as I could be But when I come back, gotta buy another ticket Gotta bring her back with me. Well, I got off the train somewhere in Arkansas And I worked up the guts to call my Mother-In-Law She said, "I'll tell you where she is, if you act right." "She's workin' four to twelve at Trucker's World tonight." Chorus 3: When I walked in she saw me, and she took off her apron And she grabbed her goin' home hat, she bought a ticket with her tips And now we're curled up on the sofa, Me and her and that mean eyed cat