Here are the lyrics and chords, what does the song mean and where is it from?

       D                G                D  (A7)
  They told me don't you go down to that city. 
            D                 G     Em  (A7)
  Don't you go down to that city, I say.
                D                G            Bm              G 
  For there's trouble there for sure and it's no concern of yours 
           Bm             G         Em     A7
  And it's all I have to hear them people say.
  
          G            A7              D        G
  If you don't look around, you won't see my a-goin', 
   D         G         A7
  See me a-goin' that way.
          G            A7                D          G
  If you don't look around, you'll have no way of knowin'. 
            D              G         A7
  I don't think you even know what I say.
  
  And I saw children just walkin' 'long and singin' 
  When a voice from behind me rang through.
  Then I saw an ugly man with a mad dog in his hand. 
  He said, Stand right there. I'll turn him loose on you.
  
  So don't tell me there ain't no time for singin' 
  'Cause I don't need no empty words from you.
  If they're sayin' who ain't free then they're sayin' it right to me. 
  So, go back home. I'll wake you when we're through.