Goin' by the Book

"Goin' by the Book" is a song written by Chester Lester and initially recorded by Johnny Cash in 1986.

Released in the second half of 1990 as a single (Mercury 878 292–7, with "Beans for Breakfast" on the B-side), the song reached number 69 on U.S. Billboard country chart for the week of October 13.Johnny Cash | Billboard

The song is part of Cash's Jack Clement–produced album The Mystery of Life, that appeared in 1991.