Here's my transcription from the 1964 Tom Paxton recording. Parts that are different from the Digital Tradition, are in italics. The DT lyrics may be a correct transcription of another Paxton recording, but they don't match the 1964 recording that I gather is original. If anyone finds a Paxton recording that matches the DT lyrics, let me know.


RAMBLIN' BOY (corrected)

He was a man and a friend always
He stuck with me in the hard old days
He never cared if I had no dough
We rambled round in the rain and snow

CHORUS
And here's to you my ramblin' boy
May all your ramblin' bring you joy
Here's to you my ramblin' boy
May all your ramblin' bring you joy

In Tulsa town we chanced to stray
We thought we'd try to work one day
The boss said he had room for one
Says my old pal, "We'd rather bum"

Late one night in a jungle camp
The weather it was cold damp
He got the chills, and he got 'em bad
They took the only friend I had

He left me here to ramble on
My ramblin' pal is dead and gone
If when we die we go somewhere
I'll bet you a dollar he's ramblin' there

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Words and music by Tom Paxton, copyright 1963 Cherry Lane Music.
Recorded on his Rambling Boy album and on Judy Collins' Songbook.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHXOWAsNeJU