Hobo Blues
B.B. King/John Lee Hooker Lyrics
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I took a freight train to be my friend, oh Lord
You know I hobo'd, hobo'd, hobo'd, hobo'd
Hobo'd a long, long way from home, oh Lord
Yes, my mother followed me that mornin', me that mornin', boy
She followed me down to the yard, oh yeah
She said, "My son he's gone, he's gone, he's gone
Yes, I left my dear old mother, dear old mother
I left my honor, need a crime, oh Lord
Take care of my child
Take care, take care of my child
The lyrics of Hobo Blues, written by John Lee Hooker and B.B. King, express the journey of a man who decides to become a hobo, someone who travels constantly, without a real destination or a permanent home. He is accompanied by a freight train, which becomes his only friend as he travels far away from his home. The repeated use of the word “hobo’d” shows the hard life and struggle this man faces every day.
In the second verse, we hear about the man’s mother who follows him to the yard where he plans to leave. She is worried about her son and his safety and is deeply saddened by his decision. She acknowledges that he has left to go to a place where living conditions are poor, and he will face many difficulties. The final verse reflects the man’s awareness of what he has left behind, including his family and his honor. He shows concern for his child and asks for someone to take care of them in his absence.
Line by Line Meaning
When I first thought to hobo'in, hobo'in
When I first decided to become a hobo and roam aimlessly from place to place,
I took a freight train to be my friend, oh Lord
I relied on a freight train to be my means of transportation and guide,
You know I hobo'd, hobo'd, hobo'd, hobo'd
I wandered, roamed, and traveled as a hobo for a long period,
Hobo'd a long, long way from home, oh Lord
I traveled a great distance far away from my hometown as a hobo,
Yes, my mother followed me that mornin', me that mornin', boy
One morning, my mother followed me as I was about to embark on my journey as a hobo,
She followed me down to the yard, oh yeah
She followed me to the train station or railway yard where I boarded the freight train,
She said, "My son he's gone, he's gone, he's gone
She expressed her worry and concern over my decision to leave as a hobo,
Yes, he's gone in a poor some wear, oh yeah"
She lamented that I left without proper clothing or possessions and may suffer as a result,
Yes, I left my dear old mother, dear old mother
I abandoned my beloved mother when I decided to become a hobo,
I left my honor, need a crime, oh Lord
I gave up my dignity and self-respect for a life of aimless wandering and uncertainty,
Take care of my child
I left behind a child that I loved and wanted to make sure he/she would be taken care of in my absence,
Take care, take care of my child
I reiterated my plea for my child to be taken care of while I was away,
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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@trapchat6393
It was like.....listening to an entire movie...in 8 minutes....man told a whole life story....masterpiece...
@stefanschleps8758
This is a prime example of John Lee's mastery of the blues. For the real blue's afficionado. This is a masterpeice. Encapsulating the blues experience as only Mr. Hooker could. RIP.
@barrywatkins8280
These older Blues singer knows about hard time they've lived it
@jacobjarisch4577
Absolutely the best of the best!!!
@JohnSmith-el6ge
listening to John Lee takes you into the hot and terrible fields of labor, slavery, of the South. This music is not heard is chewed. God bless you John Lee.
@amoruzz
👍
The pianist is just smoking on this album.
@someginger6996
This dude....this dude is why everyone should listen to the blues and give it a chance.
@sammyl2071
This music is so beautiful that it strengthens my belief in God when I listen to it. RIP great singer !
@lilac_hem
his storytelling.. his growth and understanding.. his pain.. ahhhhh so palpable..
@luisgoncalves8879
This is the reason why I LOVE BLUES...