Willie Jones was a man I met when I lived in Baltimore
I was guard and he was doing time
In the three long years he stayed there
I got to know him well
Willie Jones was a friend of mine

He used to say
Buddy you know where I'm going when they let me outta here
Alabama could be heaven if the Lord was there
And he talked about the Southland though he'd drifted from it's shores
I never seen a man who loved it more

He talked about the whippoorwills and the Alabama night
Honeysuckle vine and sugar canes
Swimmin' holes and fishin poles and early morning frost
Sleeping under a tin roof when it rains

He talked about a country road and a cabin in the pines
And a girl with wavy long chestnut brown hair
Talked about the beauty of his blue ridge mountain home
Dern near made me think that I was there

He used to say
Buddy you know where I'm going when they let me outta here
Alabama could be heaven if the Lord was there
But when a man ain't got no freedom
Time sure passes slow

Been almost a year now since that hot night in July
Willie hit the guard and jumped the fence
I had my rifle ready but I couldn't let it fly
I shot over his head and we ain't seen him since

Then last week the postman brought a letter to my door
Marked no return address and no reply
It just said nobody North of Birmingham's going to see this boy again
But if you're ever down our way won't you please drop by

He used to say
Buddy you know where I'm going when they let me outta here
Alabama could be heaven if the Lord was there
And he talked about the Southland
Though he'd drifted from it's shores
I never seen a man who loved it more