Origins: It's A Big Bum I Am/Best Hobo Man

Subject: Origins: It's A Big Bum I Am
From: Mark Ross
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 01:51 PM

Kenny Hall sang this song years ago;

Beer-a Bim-bim-bom-bam, it's a big bum I am,
I just want you to know I'm the best hobo man.

I learned the song from listening to him, but I have no idea where it comes from. Any suggestions? Title, date, copyright, performer, any help appreciated.

Mark Ross

Subject: ADD: It's A Big Bum I Am
From: Peace
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 02:01 PM

Mark,

I found the below on Google Questions. It was posted in 2004. No answer since.

"My father used to sing this song to me - it is the best I can
remember. Can you identify it and help me locate the lyrics?


When I was young, which was a long time ago
A man paid paid me to shovel his sidewalk of snow
He gave me a nickel and a dime, that?s all
So I shoveled the snow right back in to his hall

Chiby chim chum chim cham
What a big bum I am
I want you to know
I'm the best hobo man

Now I've traveled all over this country no doubt
From the east to the west
From the north to the south
I've wallowed in the mud like a turtle at play
And I haven't taken a bath since Armisitice day

Chiby chim chum chim cham
What a big bum I am
I want you to know
I'm the best hobo man

Now I never was rich, and I don't hope to be,
But if I woke up with a million, you see
I'd give up my castle, my mansion, my wife
Just to be a big bum for the rest of my life

Chiby chim chum chim cham
What a big bum I am
I want you to know
I'm the best hobo man"

Subject: RE: Origins: It's A Big Bum I Am
From: Mark Ross
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 02:31 PM

That's the one.

I like a drink of water, that's true,
But when there's no water than whiskey will do,
Just give me the butt of a 5 cent cigar,
and an old fashioned tune on my trusty guitar...

At the very end Kenny would sing(to the tune of SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK)

East side, west side, all around the town,
The Bowery Bums are shuffling on the sidewalks up and down,
Some of them are sober, some can't see to walk,
Each night they bounce their heads upon the sidewalks of New York.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Origins: It's A Big Bum I Am
From: Mark Ross
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 08:39 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Origins: It's A Big Bum I Am
From: Mark Ross
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 12:10 PM

Still looking for info. Refresh.

Subject: RE: Origins: It's A Big Bum I Am
From: Mark Ross
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 12:29 AM

Still looking. Help!

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Origins: It's A Big Bum I Am
From: Mark Ross
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 02:34 PM

Once more...Help!

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Origins: It's A Big Bum I Am
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 03:55 AM

Hmmmm. This Google Search shows that somewhere at the Library of Congress, there's a recording of a song called "Best Hobo Man" that lasts 2 minutes and 24 seconds - but that's all I can glean...

Subject: RE: Origins: It's A Big Bum I Am/Best Hobo Man
From: GUEST,Bethany
Date: 14 Apr 17 - 01:09 AM

My Grandfather used to sing this song to me as a lullaby, he would segway into big rock candy mountain so for the longest time I thought they were the same song. I would really LOVE to hear this song again.