I give my woman half my money at the general store
I said, "Now buy a little groceries, and don't spend no more"
But she gave ten dollars for a ten cent hat
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"

When I heard a whistle blowin', and the big wheels a-turnin'
I was scared as I could be
But I put on my overalls and I headed to town
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, blond hair
He spit his tobacco, said, "I'll be dad blamed
I believe I did see her leavin' on the east bound train"

I bought a round trip ticket on the east bound train
I was broke as I could be
But when [bad word] back and gotta buy another ticket
Gonna 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 [bad word] #39;s world tonight"

Well 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

Read more: Johnny Cash - Mean Eyed Cat Lyrics | MetroLyrics