She drew out all her money from the Southern Trust
But her baby boy bought a Greyhound bus
He's leaving Louisiana for the Golden West
Down came the tears from her happiness
Her old little boy named the Jolly Be Good
Is gonna make some motion pictures out in Hollywood
She's crying bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye Johnny
Lordy son Johnny Be Good
She remembered taking money in from gathering crops
Buying Johnny's guitar at a broker's shop
As long as he had played by the railroad side
He wouldn't get in trouble, she is satisfied
But never thought there'd ever come a day like this
She'd have to give that boy a goodbye kiss
She's crying bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye Johnny
Lordy son Johnny Be Good
Bye, bye Johnny
She finally got the letter she's a-dreamin' of
Johnny wrote and told her he had fell in love
As soon as he is mad he'd bring her back
And build a mansion for him by the railroad track
So every time they heard that locomotive roar
There'd be a standing man a-waving at the kitchen door
Howling bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye Johnny
Lordy son you sure done good
She's crying bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye Johnny
Lordy son you sure done good
Bye, bye, bye, bye