“Gotta Travel On” is a song written by Paul Clayton, The Weavers, Larry Ehrlich, and Dave Lazer and performed by Billy Grammer. It reached #4 on the U.S. pop chart, #5 on the U.S. country chart, #6 in Australia, and #14 on the U.S. R&B chart in 1959.
The song ranked #53 on Billboard magazine’s Top 100 singles of 1959.
Other charting versions
Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys released a version of the song as a single in 1959 which reached #15 on the U.S. country chart.
The Springfields released a version of the song as a single in 1962 which reached #114 on the U.S. pop chart.
Timi Yuro released a version of the song as a single in 1963 which reached #64 on both the U.S. pop and R&B charts.
Damita Jo released a version of the song as a single in 1965 which reached #119 on the U.S. pop chart.

B-side “Chasing a Dream”
Released October 1958
Genre Country
Length 2:24
Label Monument
Songwriter(s) Paul Clayton, The Weavers, Larry Ehrlich, Dave Lazer
Billy Grammer – Gotta Travel On Lyrics
I’ve laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer’s almost gone, yes, winter’s comin’ on
I’ve laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I gotta travel on
Poppa writes to Johnny, but Johnny can’t come home
Johnny can’t come home, no, Johnny can’t come home
Poppa writes to Johnny, but Johnny can’t come home
‘Cause he’s been on the chain gang too long
I’ve laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer’s almost gone, yes, winter’s comin’ on
I’ve laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I gotta travel on
High sheriff and police riding after me
Riding after me, yes, coming after me
High sheriff and police coming after me
And I fee like I gotta travel on
I’ve laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer’s almost gone, yes, winter’s comin’ on
I’ve laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I gotta travel on
Want to see my honey, want to see her bad
Want to see her bad, oh, want to see her bad
