A rider is a sexual partner in most of the songs we're talking about. "Riding the blinds" not included, which is a hobo's choice when hopping freights rather than riding the rods.


A discussion on another forum had this entry:

"From conversations I have had with real hobos, I believe the one you have that is most correct is this:

"A walk way between two passenger cars covered with either canvas or leather in an accordion shape. From the outside of the blinds to the outer edge of the cars there was a space about 24 inches wide. There was a ladder running up to the top of the car in this space and the bums would grap hold of the ladder and hold on to it. That was riding the blinds"

Riding the blinds is NOT riding inside a boxcar.

An alternative is "riding the rods", which is like riding UNDER the cars.
Very dangerous especially when it got too cold to hold on good.
The idea is to remain out of sight of the "bulls" (railroad security staff)."