From the recording Holey Joe (The Hobo Song)
The American hobo was a fascinating character to me as a kid. They were often portrayed on TV as having an adventurous, joyful, carefree life with no worries and no responsibilities. I will take the liberty of speaking for every 8-year-old boy on the planet in 1963... "Where do we sign up"? Thank you again, Lord, for not giving me what I wished for!
After the Civil War, thousands of displaced veterans struggled to find work and their place back in society. With what we now know about PTSD, I imagine that was also rampant in this community. These wandering souls often turned to the railroads for both transportation and employment. They traveled wherever the rails would take them, finding small jobs in lumber camps, railroad construction, and by following the harvest season, on farms. They developed a unique culture and communicated with each other using a system of symbols written in chalk to indicate areas of both safety and danger, as well as places where there might be employment opportunities, or, perhaps, a bite to eat. The Great Depression triggered a surge of men who had no place to go and no opportunities. My life as a hobo comes with none of the pain. It is all about peace, freedom, and solitude. All aboard!
Lyrics
Holey Joe (The Hobo Song) words & music by JRRothrock 7/28/2010
The lonely echo of an empty valley …
... is a sweet lullaby to an old hobo.
I ride the rails, don’t care in what direction,
... so if I get there, how will I ever know?
I live a life that’s so free and easy.
Got no possessions, nothin’ to weigh me down
…and just like the winds, can always change direction.
I’ll blow down the tracks and to another town.
A jack-of-all-trades, I’ve worked so many…
…but I’ll always be a homeless vagabond.
Might take a job to make a couple pennies…
... but sprout a root, and I am quickly gone!
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Survive another day on wits and guile…
Don’t need no ticket jus’ to ride the train.
Around the bend… always another mile…
…and the countryside is truly my domain.
Don’t see no point in planning destinations.
Not asking you to try to comprehend.
The steel and ties run on and on forever.
My cast-ed shadow… is my only trusted friend.
A jack-of-all-trades, I’ve worked so many…
… but I’ll always be a homeless vagabond.
Might take a job to make a couple pennies…
... but sprout a root, and I am quickly gone!
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[CHORUS]
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Some would say the softness of a woman...
… is worth the trouble just to have around.
While that maybe true, I know I’ve met one or two…
... who would’ve gladly tossed me in the “lost and found”!
But when I feel I need some “conversation”
I can always find a jungle down the track.
But the open space is where I find salvation…
… and that lonely whistle always calls me back!
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INSTRUMENTAL
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Some would say the softness of a woman...
… is worth the headache just to keep around...
... and while that maybe true, I know I’ve met one or two…
... who’d just as soon be sleepin’ with a mangy hound!
But when I feel I need “reciprocation”…
I can always find a camp along the track.
But the open space is where I’ve found salvation…
… and that lonely whistle always calls me back!
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The lonely echo of an empty valley…
Is a nightly lullaby to Holey Joe.
I ride the rails…ain’t got no destination….
But if I ever get there I will let you know!
The lonely echo of an empty valley…
Is a lullaby to ol’ Holey Joe
I ride the rails…ain’t got no destination….
But if I ever get there I will let you know!
The lonely echo of an empty valley…
Is a lullaby to this old Hobo
I ride the rails…ain’t got no destination….
But if I ever get there I will let you know!
(fades)