William Dale Fries Jr. (November 15, 1928 – April 1, 2022), best known by h… Read Full Bio ↴William Dale Fries Jr. (November 15, 1928 – April 1, 2022), best known by his stage name C. W. McCall, was an American singer who wrote truck-themed outlaw country songs. Prior to his musical career, he worked in advertising, and won several Clio Awards. His most successful song was "Convoy", a surprise pop-crossover hit in 1975, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He was elected mayor of Ouray, Colorado, and served in that position from 1986 to 1992.

McCall was born Billie Dale Fries on November 15, 1928, in Audubon, Iowa. His father was also called Billie and so he was the junior. He later legally changed his name to William Dale Fries, Jr.

McCall is best known for the 1976 No. 1 hit song, "Convoy". Its theme of using CB radio to rebel against the new federal speed limit of 55 mph was popular and topical so the single sold over two million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in December 1975. Though McCall is not a one-hit wonder, "Convoy" went on to become his signature song. McCall first charted the song "Wolf Creek Pass", which reached No. 40 on the U.S. pop top 40 in 1975. Two other songs reached the Billboard Hot 100, "Old Home Filler-Up an' Keep on a-Truckin' Cafe", as well as the environmentally-oriented "There Won't Be No Country Music (There Won't Be No Rock 'n' Roll)". "Classified" and "'Round the World with the Rubber Duck" (a pirate-flavored sequel to "Convoy") bubbled under the Hot 100. A dozen McCall songs appeared on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, including the sentimental "Roses for Mama" (1977).

In 1978, the movie Convoy was released, based on the C. W. McCall song. The film starred Kris Kristofferson, Ali MacGraw, Burt Young, and Ernest Borgnine and was directed by Sam Peckinpah. It featured a new version of the song, written specially for the film.

The song "Convoy" is featured in Grand Theft Auto V. In 2014, Rolling Stone ranked "Convoy" No. 98 on their list of 100 Greatest Country Songs.

In addition to the "original six" McCall albums released between 1975 and 1979, two rare singles exist. "Kidnap America" was a politically/socially-conscious track released in 1980 during the Iran hostage crisis, while "Pine Tar Wars" referred to an event that actually happened in a New York Yankees–Kansas City Royals baseball game during 1983 (a dispute concerning the application of a large quantity of pine tar to a baseball bat used by George Brett, one of the Royals' players).

Fries died on April 1, 2022, at age 93 from complications of cancer. In an interview he conducted on February 9 while in palliative hospice care, he gave his blessing for the use of his signature song "Convoy" for the Freedom Convoy protests in Canada, with Taste of Country noting that he was "energized and enthusiastic" about the revival of interest in the song and its message.

Hobo's Lullaby
C.W. McCall Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Goebel Reeves)

Go to sleep, you weary hobo
Let the towns drift slowly by
Can't you hear the steel rail hummin'?
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 the all the wind and snow

I know your clothes are torn and ragged
And your hair is turnin' gray

Lift your head and smile at trouble
You'll find happiness someday

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to C.W. McCall's song "Hobo's Lullaby" were originally written by Goebel Reeves. In this song, Reeves sings about the life of a hobo and the difficulties they face. The first verse invites the listener to close their eyes and drift into sleep, listening to the calming sound of steel rails. This sets the tone for the entire song - a comforting lullaby for someone who is constantly on the move with no real home.

The second verse encourages the listener to live in the present moment, rather than worrying about the future. It reminds the hobo that they have a place to rest for the night, even if it is a boxcar, and they are protected from the elements. The third verse acknowledges the wear and tear of the hobo's life, but encourages them to face their troubles with a smile, as happiness is still within reach.

Line by Line Meaning

Go to sleep, you weary hobo
Rest now, tired traveler

Let the towns drift slowly by
Leave behind the worries of civilization

Can't you hear the steel rail hummin'?
Listen to the comforting sound of the train

That's a hobo's lullaby
It's a melody for those who wander

Do not think about tomorrow
Forget the future and focus on the present

Let tomorrow come and go
Today will pass and so will tomorrow

Tonight you're in a nice warm boxcar
You may not have much, but you have shelter

Safe from the all the wind and snow
A cozy spot to avoid the harsh elements

I know your clothes are torn and ragged
I understand you're struggling

And your hair is turnin' gray
You've been on this journey for a long time

Lift your head and smile at trouble
Find joy in the face of adversity