Arlo Guthrie (born 10th July 1947, Brooklyn, New York ) is an American folk… Read Full Bio ↴Arlo Guthrie (born 10th July 1947, Brooklyn, New York ) is an American folk singer who is the son of folk singer and composer Woody Guthrie and his wife Marjorie Mazia Guthrie, a one-time professional dancer with the Martha Graham Company and founder of The Committee to Combat Huntington's Disease. He graduated from the Stockbridge School of Massachusetts in 1965, and briefly attended Rocky Mountain College.

His most famous work is Alice's Restaurant, a talking blues song that lasts eighteen minutes and twenty seconds (in its original recorded version; Guthrie has been known to spin the story out to forty-five minutes in concert). The song, a bitingly satirical protest against the Vietnam War draft, is based on a true incident. In the song, Guthrie was called up for a draft examination, and rejected as unfit for military service as a result of a criminal record consisting in its entirety of a single arrest, court appearance, fine and clean-up order for littering. In reality, Guthrie, though a carrier of the genetically inherited disease Huntington's chorea, was classified as fit (1A); however, his draft-lottery number did not come up.

Hobo's Lullaby
Arlo Guthrie Lyrics

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o to sleep you weary hobo
Let the towns drift slowly by
Can't you hear the steel rail humming
That's a hobo's lullaby

Do not think about tomorrow
Let tomorrow come and go
Tonight you're in a nice warm boxcar

Safe from all the wind and snow

I know the police cause you trouble
They cause trouble everywhere
But when you die and go to heaven
You won't find no policemen there

I know your clothes are torn and ragged
And your hair is turning grey
Lift your head and smile at trouble
You'll find happiness some day

So go to sleep you weary hobo
Let the towns drift slowly by

Don't you feel the steel rail humming
That's a hobo's lullaby

Overall Meaning

Arlo Guthrie's song Hobo's Lullaby is a heartfelt song that speaks about the life of a hobo. The song tells the story of a weary hobo who finds solace in the sound of the steel rail and the warmth of a boxcar. The lyrics suggest that one should not worry about the future and focus on the present moment instead. The hobo's life is full of hardships, including trouble from the police, torn and ragged clothing, and grey hair. However, despite all the troubles, the song tells the hobo to lift his head and smile, for happiness is still within reach.

The song speaks about the comforting sound of the steel rail and the gentle rocking of the boxcar, which acts as a lullaby to the hobo. It's a reminder that even in the bleakest of moments, there is always something to be grateful for. The song also touches on the theme of heaven and suggests that there are no police officers in heaven. It's a metaphorical suggestion that the hobo's troubles will end when he dies.

In summary, Arlo Guthrie's Hobo's Lullaby is a simple but powerful song that speaks to the heart of the human experience. It's a reminder that even in our lowest moments, there is still a reason to hope and find happiness.

Line by Line Meaning

o to sleep you weary hobo
Rest now, tired wanderer

Let the towns drift slowly by
Ignore the hustle and bustle of civilization

Can't you hear the steel rail humming
The hypnotic sound of railway tracks

That's a hobo's lullaby
Comforting melody for a nomadic soul

Do not think about tomorrow
Don't worry about the next day

Let tomorrow come and go
Ease up on your worries about what's to come

Tonight you're in a nice warm boxcar
For now, rest peacefully in a cozy train car

Safe from all the wind and snow
Free from the hazards of the elements

I know the police cause you trouble
Law enforcement may harass you

They cause trouble everywhere
Police can be troublesome in general

But when you die and go to heaven
After you pass away and reach paradise