Hobo's Lullabye
DESCRIPTION: "Go to sleep you weary hobo, Let the town drift slowly by. Listen to the steel rails humming, That's the hobo's lullabye." The hobo is urged not to think about tomorrow, to ignore the police (who will not be found in heaven), and to remember mother's loveAUTHOR: Goebel Reeves
EARLIEST DATE: 1934 (recording, Goebel Reeves)
KEYWORDS: hobo rambling lullaby
FOUND IN: US
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Silber/Silber-FolksingersWordbook, p. 410, "Hobo's Lullabye" (1 text)
DT, HOBOLULL*
Roud #16629
RECORDINGS:
Billy Cox & Cliff Hobbs, "The Hobo's Lullaby" (Vocalion 04924/Conqueror 9221, 1939; Conqueror 9352, 1940)
Goebel Reeves, "Hobo's Lullabye" (Champion 45181, 1936); (Vocalion 02828, 1934)
NOTES [34 words]: Although composed, this has become so popular that I think it qualifies as a genuine folk song. Woody Guthrie, for instance, was very fond of it, and many people must have learned it from his singing. - RBW
Last updated in version 4.3
File: FSWB410C
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...and the Digital Tradition lyrics. Any corrections?
HOBO'S LULLABY (from DT)
(Goebel Reeves)
Go to sleep, you weary hobo
Let the town drift slowly by;
Listen to the steel rails humming
That's the hobo's lullaby.
Do not think about tomorrow;
Let tomorrow come and go.
Tonight you have a nice warm boxcar
Free from all the ice and snow.
I know the police cause you trouble,
They make trouble everywhere;
But when you die and go to heaven,
Well, you won't find police there.
Now do not let your heart be troubled
If the world calls you a bum;
'Cause if your mother lives, she loves you
Well, you are still your mother's son.
Note: tune is a harmony to Just Before the Battle, Mother
copyright Fall River Music, Inc.
@hobo @lullaby
filename[ HOBOLULL
TUNE FILE: HOBOLULL
CLICK TO PLAY
RG
