Lyr Req: The Hobo Song (John Prine)

Subject: Where have all the hoboes gone
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 04:05 PM

A buddy of mine remembers the following line from a song but can't remember the rest or the artist. I couldn't help him, anyone else?

"Please tell me where, have all the hobo's gone to? I see no fire burnin' by the rusty railroad track. Could it be, that time has gone and left them, tied up in life's eternal, travellin', sack."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where have all the hoboes gone
From: Sorcha
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 04:43 PM

Looks like it's a Merle Haggard song, maybe covered by John Prine, but Prine did another song called just "The Hobo Song". Words and chords for it are at Cowpie, but not the Merle song........

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where have all the hoboes gone
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 04:51 PM

Thanks Sorcha, it turns out it is Prine. I need to get some of his stuff, I've liked anything I've heard. I'm way to fixated on Dylan right now though.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where have all the hoboes gone
From: Sorcha
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 05:38 PM

So, do you want me to go back and find the CD it was on?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where have all the hoboes gone
From: GUEST,Steve Latimer
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 06:07 PM

No thank you. This one was more for my buddy than for me. It was just one of those things that was driving him crazy that he couldn't remember it.

Steve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where have all the hoboes gone
From: Sorcha
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 06:09 PM

OK

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where have all the hoboes gone
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 06:15 PM

It's on Bruised Orange, I'm pretty sure

Subject: Lyr Add: WHERE HAVE ALL THE HOBOES GONE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Jul 02 - 02:16 PM

Copied from http://www.luma-electronic.cz/lp/h/Hag/hag_mylove.htm
[This one was recorded by Merle Haggard on "My Love Affair With Trains," Capitol ST 11544, 1976.]

WHERE HAVE ALL THE HOBOES GONE
(Dave Kirby - Danny Morrison)
« © '76 Tree Publishing »

The silver rails have lost their shine they're just the victims of our time
They might as well rust in the rain what good's a track without a train
Where have all the hoboes gone I never knew they even had a home
So Lord if you have turned your back you might as well take off the track

I love to hear a whistle whine just ride a boxcar one more time
So Lord if you're still on my side you'll send me one more train to ride
Where have all the hoboes gone...
Hm hmm so Lord if you're still on my side you'll send me one more train to ride

Subject: Lyr Add: THE HOBO SONG (John Prine)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Jul 02 - 02:17 PM

THE HOBO SONG
Written by John Prine
As recorded by John Prine on “Bruised Orange” (1978)

1. There was a time when lonely men would wander
Through this land rolling aimlessly along.
So many times I've heard of their sad story
Written in the words of dead men's songs.

2. Down through the years, many men have yearned for freedom.
Some found it only on the open road.
So many tears of blood have fell around us
'Cause you can't always do what you are told.

3. Please tell me: where have all the hobos gone to?
I see no fire burning down by the rusty railroad track.
Could it be that time has gone and left them
Tied up in life's eternal traveling sack?

4. [SPOKEN] Last Sunday night I wrote a letter to my loved one.
I signed my name and knew I'd stayed away too long.
There was a time when my heart was free to wander,
And I remember as I sing this hobo song:

REPEAT 3 Tied up in life's eternal traveling sack?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where have all the hoboes gone
From: Hrothgar
Date: 15 Jul 02 - 07:39 AM

Long time passing....