Lyr/Chords Req: The Hobo's Last Letter

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Hobo's Last Letter
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 12:48 PM

Goebel Reeves recorded a different song called THE HOBO'S LAST LETTER in 1930. (Some records were issued under the name "The Texas Drifter" which was a pseudonym or sobriquet for Goebel Reeves.) I don't know who wrote it, but it's certainly not the same song that Bill Hicks wrote. This one is on a 4-CD collection called "Sounds like Jimmie Rodgers" (JSP, 2006). Here's what I heard in a sample from Allmusic.com:

...doctor just told me today
That in three months I'd prob'ly be heading
The trail to that land far away;
And so I am sending this letter
In hopes that at last you'll explain
Why one night in June you asked me
Not to come back to see [you again?]....

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: THE HOBO'S LAST LETTER
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 10:25 AM

I know it's been a few years since this thread was posted, but I love the song, and this is the only place on the internet I could find the lyrics.
So, here are the chords, as best I can tell...




While [D]walking one [A]day down the [D]bowery

[D]Drinking without any [G]cares

I [G]happened upon a [D]common old bum

Who'd fallen[E] down three flights[A] of stairs

His [D]coat was all [A]ragged and [D]tattered

The [D]hair was white on his [G]head

He gave[G] me a letter [D]with his dying breath

And [A]these were the words that he'd [D]said...



I was [D]standing on a [G]streetcar back in [D]Frisco

Waiting [D]for the light to [G]change from [D]red to green

When a thought[G[ came through my head about the [D]time we went to [Bm]bed

Underneath[E7] the western stars of [A]Abilene

You know a [D]lot of things get [G]hazy when you [D]wander

Days go [D]by like [G]boxcars in the [D]night

But some [G]day I know I'll find

Just a [D]little peace of mind

And when I [A]do I'll find you to make it [D]right.


I'll be [G]home in the morning when the [D]sun is comin up

And the [A]rooster's singin wake up to a [D]thousand buttercups

There'll be [G]pigs in the pen, and [D]turkeys in the woods

I'll be [A]home in the morning, dear, [D]for good.


It's[D] 20 years ago that [G]bus pulled out for[D] Denver

We were [D]standing in the [G]station holding [D]hands

Then we [G]finally said goodbye and I [D]stood and watched you [Bm]cry

And I asked[E7] myself how you could [A]understand

You know I've [D]been a lot of [G]places since that [D]Sunday

And some [D]things I done [G]just don't mean a [D]thing

But one [G]thing I know is true

Lord I'll [D]get back home to you

This old [A]bird can't stay forever on the [D]wing.



I'll be [G]home in the morning when the [D]sun is comin up

And the [A]rooster's singin wake up to a [D]thousand buttercups

There'll be [G]pigs in the pen, and [D]turkeys in the woods

I'll be [A]home in the morning, dear, [D]for good.



Instrumental



Well I [D]folded up the [G]letter I was [D]reading

Cause some [D]things are [G]just too personal to [D]tell

And I [G]gave it to the cop who was [D]standing at the [Bm]top

Of the [E7]stairs where that poor old bum had [A]fell

He hadn't [D]had the time to [G]put her name [D]upon it

And his [D]hand had [G]shook so bad his name was [D]blurred

But it [G]looked a lot like mine

So I'm [D]callin you this time

To say I'll be [A]home in the morning, dear, for[D] good



I'll be [G]home in the morning when the [D]sun is comin up

And the [A]rooster's singin wake up to a [D]thousand buttercups

There'll be [G]pigs in the pen, and [D]turkeys in the woods

I'll be [A]home in the morning, dear, [D]for good.



And out

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Hobo's Last Letter
From: kendall
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 07:17 PM

I've never heard this one, but, I sure would like to.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Hobo's Last Letter
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 05:31 PM

I met Bill Hicks, who wrote the song, last year, and I have an email address for him...I will send one asking if he will correspond with you or post here about the chords he uses.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Hobo's Last Letter
From: Art Thieme
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 02:44 PM

Just looking at my previous post I see I failed to mention that it was Tommy Thompson's scotch we were taking turns drinking out of that paper bag at that long-ago Winfield Fest!!

Art

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Hobo's Last Letter
From: martoons
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 10:13 PM

Thanks to everyone for the attention to my post and the fond rememberances of the Ramblers. I wish I had seen them live in their prime. I alas only saw them in the first production of Fool Moon and thought they stole the show. I think Mr. Thompson was with them then, but I'm sure it was a streamlined performance. I will continue to try and locate their songs. Thanks again.

G

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Hobo's Last Letter
From: Stewie
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 09:29 PM

Art, you are spot on about the Ramblers being a great band. It is very sad that Tommy Thompson is afflicted with Alzheimers. He has made fine contributions, particularly to old-timey style music, as musician, vocalist and songwriter.

It should be noted that writing credits for 'Hobo's Last Letter' are down to Bill Hicks, another talented Rambler.

Martoons, thanks for posting the lyrics. Sorry I can't help you with your request. If you do not have any luck here, try posting your query to the old-time newsgroup [rec.music.country.old-time].

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Hobo's Last Letter
From: Art Thieme
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 09:11 PM

GEEZ, sorry. I truly thought I was spelling the word sight right. Well, live an' learn. Next time I will do it rite. Art(sheepishly)

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Hobo's Last Letter
From: Art Thieme
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 09:04 PM

It's a great song----and that was a great band. Someone once said that if Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers ever were reincarnated they would come back as the Red Clay Ramblers------the original band with, the man himself, Tommy Thompson. Tommy, a great banjo player, has been fighting Alzheimers for several years and my heart goes out to him every time I think of that struggle? I recall fondly a time I walked around the festival sight (not "site") at a 1970s Winfield, Kansas Fest one night between sets ---- sipping Scotch from a paper sack (so Bob Redford might not notice)and listening to Claire What's-her-name's amazing cuddly voice. I can visualize "Merchant's Lunch" as if it were a movie when I think about BRENDA exposing her boobs.---=The line went, "And an acre of Brenda was exposed to view". As Ed Murrow used to say, "I can see it now!!!!!"

Art Thieme (pardon my digression)

Subject: Lyr Add: THE HOBO'S LAST LETTER
From: martoons
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 08:44 PM

The lyrics are below. Thanks G

The Hobo's Last Letter

While walking one day down the bowery
Drinking without any cares
I happened upon a common old bum
Who had fallen down 3 flights of stairs
His coat was all ragged and tattered
The hair was white on his head
He gave me a letter with his dying breath
And these were the words that it said...

I was standing on a streetcar back in Frisco
Waiting for the light to change from red to green
When a thought came through my head about the time we went to bed
Underneaeth the western stars of Abilene
You know a lot of things get hazy when you wander
Days go by like boxcars in the night
But some day I know I'll find
Just a little peace of mind
And when I do I'll find you to make it right.

I'll be home in the morning when the sun is comin up
And the rooster's singin wake up to a thousand buttercups
There'll be pigs in the pen, and turkey's in the woods
I'll be home in the morning, dear, for good.

It's 20 years ago that bus pulled out for Denver
We were standing in the station holding hands
Then we finally said goodbye and I stood and watched you cry
And I asked myself how you could understand
You know I've been alot of places since that Sunday
And some things I done just don't mean a thing
But one thing I know is true
Lord I'll get back home to you
This old bird can't stay forever on the wing.

I'll be home in the morning when the sun is comin up
And the rooster's singin wake up to a thousand buttercups
There'll be pigs in the pen, and turkey's in the woods
I'll be home in the morning, dear, for good.

Instrumental

Well I folded up the letter I was readin
Cause some things are just too personal to tell
And I gave it to the cop who was standing at the top
Of the stairs where that poor old bum had fell
He hadn't had the time to put her name upon it
And his hand had shook so bad his name was blurred
But it looked alot like mine
So I'm callin you this time
To say I'll be home in the morning, dear, for good

I'll be home in the morning when the sun is comin up
And the rooster's singin wake up to a thousand buttercups
There'll be pigs in the pen, and turkey's in the woods
I'll be home in the morning, dear, for good.

And out

--- Line breaks <br> added ---
---Jeff (PA)---

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Hobo's Last Letter
From: Louie Roy
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 12:11 PM

It would help if you posted the lyrics.There are too many Hobo songs.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Hobo's Last Letter
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 11:38 AM

Chords, anyone?

Subject: The Hobo's Last Letter
From: martoons
Date: 22 Sep 01 - 12:39 PM

I have the lyrics to this old Red Clay Rambler song, but I'm havin a debil of a time tryin to get the chords placed properly. Is there anyone out there who can help? Looking for other RCR tunes as well.

Thanks

Gary