Neo, it's not exactly a hobo song, but if you want a Buddhist folk song you might try Zen Gospel Singing by Mark Graham. Warning: this is not serious.

I think one of the reasons we've seen the changes that Art and BlueJay and others have described (and it's happening on our streets as well as the rails, of course) is a legacy of the "de-institutionalization" movement of the 70s and 80s, under the twin motivations of "humanity" and "economics." No question, there were many people who were locked away in mental institutions unjustly, treated inhumanely, and suffered terribly. But there are also many people who, even with the best treatment, just couldn't function outside the walls. And now, not only are the walls down and their beds gone, but they get little or no treatment at all, so their problems get worse, and the only place for them is jail or the street -- or the road. They are suffering, and we are suffering as well. This isn't the whole source of the problem, but it's a significant part. I don't have an easy answer, but it ain't working now.

Aloha,
Mark