Spectator (Dec. 16, 1916), p. 765:


From the Manchester Guardian we take some curious specimens of the accidental literature of the song- writer. "Hallelujah, I'm a hobo, " is one of the popular songs at the front. It seems that this song was first sung by the unemployed in Canada when they paraded the streets. In its original form it ran something like this, being modelled on a well-known revivalist hymn :

" I walked up the street
    And I knocked at tho door,
And she said, ' You're a hobo,
    I've seen you before.'

Chorus :

Hallelujah, I'm a hobo,
   Hallelujah, amen !
Hallelujah, get your hand down.
   Revive us again !

Oh, why don't you save
   All the money you earn.
If I'd money to save,
   I'd have money to burn.

Hallelujah, &c.

Oh, I love my boss,
   He's a good friend of mine,
That is why I am starving
   Out in the bread line.

Hallelujah, &c.