Harris is truly an innovator. For over 30 years, Emmylou has flowed effortlessly between genres achieving popularity in pop, folk, country and now alternative. The common bridge is an exquisite vocal style and a gift for discovering the heart of a song.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1947, the daughter of Walter and Eugenia Harris grew up near Washington, D.C. As a college student in the late 60s, she sang with a local folk duo and eventually moved to Greenwich Village. She played the clubs on the local folk scene occasionally sharing the stage with Jerry Jeff Walker and David Bromberg.
Discovered in 1971 by Chris Hillman, Hillman brought Gram Parsons to hear her sing in a small club in the Washington D.C. area. In 1972, she answered the call from Gram to join him in Los Angeles to work on his first solo album, "GP." According to Songfacts, Parsons tragic early death in 1973 left Harris at an emotional and musical crossroads. Her earliest signature song, Boulder To Birmingham was written shortly after Gram's death, and it showed the depth of her shock and pain at losing her friend and mentor.
After the loss of Gram, Emmylou went back to the D.C. area and formed a country band, playing with them until her 1975 major label debut, Pieces of the Sky, when she formed the first version of the legendary Hot Band. Over the years the Hot Band included world class players such as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell and Hank DeVito.
Emmylou has been called by Billboard Magazine a "truly venturesome, genre-transcending pathfinder." Throughout her career, she has been admired for her talent as an artist and song connoisseur, but it was with her 2000 album, Red Dirt Girl, for which Ms. Harris was awarded her tenth (out of eleven total to date) Grammy, that she revealed she is also a gifted songwriter. Continuing the trend with her September 2003 album, Stumble Into Grace, Emmylou wrote ten of the album's eleven tracks. Though Emmylou is the most admired and influential woman in contemporary country music, her scope extends far beyond it. She has recorded with such diverse artists as Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Tammy Wynette, Neil Young, The Chieftains, Lyle Lovett, Roy Orbison, The Band, Willie Nelson and George Jones.
She sings with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on the incomparable albums Trio and Trio II, making all three artists living American legends.
A longtime social activist, Harris has lent her voice to many causes. She is active in cultural preservation issues, notably the Country Music Foundation and the Grand Ole Opry. As an animal rights activist and the owner of several dogs and cats, Emmylou also supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society. Since 1997 she has been the most visible spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, drawing public attention and notable musical artists to the cause.
Hobo's Lullaby
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The song "Hobo's Lullaby" by Emmylou Harris is a poignant song that speaks of the struggles and hardships faced by hobos, it's a song that has been sung many times by many artists since it was first written back in 1931 by Goebel Reeves. The song's opening lines invite the weary hobo to take a rest and doze off as the towns pass them by, as the steel rails hum their lullaby. These lines depict the isolation of the traveler, the hobo, who's drifting by the towns, living on the edge of society and leading a seemingly lonely life.
The second verse counsels the hobo to forget tomorrow and live for the moment. It suggests that the hobo should enjoy the current moment, despite being in a boxcar, as it is better than braving the harsh winds and snow when on foot. The verse is a reminder that life is a journey and not a destination, that we should enjoy the journey and live our lives with no regrets.
The third verse speaks to the many troubles faced by hobos, such as the police interference, whilst remaining hopeful that in heaven, there will be no troubles. The verse presents police as the hoboβs constant antagonist, and the last line seems to suggest that police are not welcome in heaven, possibly implying that they interfere too much with the lives of others-the hobos.
In conclusion, "Hobo's Lullaby" is an emotional piece of art that portrays the hardships of life, the loneliness and isolation of the traveler. It's a song that is both sad and hopeful, as it affirms that happiness is attainable despite life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Go to sleep you weary hobo
Please rest, tired wanderer
Let the towns drift slowly by
Ignore the cities passing you by
Can't you hear the steel rail humming
Listen to the soothing sound of the tracks
That's a hobo's lullaby
This is a calming tune for the wandering homeless
Do not think about tomorrow
Don't worry about the future
Let tomorrow come and go
Leave the future to its own rhythm
Tonight you're in a nice warm boxcar
You have found shelter in a comfortable train carriage
Safe from all the wind and snow
You're protected from the harsh weather
I know the police cause you trouble
I understand authorities harass you
They cause trouble everywhere
They are a problem for all
But when you die and go to heaven
However, after death and in the afterlife
You won't find no policemen there
You will find no authority figures in heaven.
I know your clothes are torn and ragged
I understand your clothing is damaged and old
And your hair is turning grey
And your hair is fading to white
Lift your head and smile at trouble
Raise your head and face your troubles boldly
You'll find happiness some day
You will eventually find joy
So go to sleep you weary hobo
So, rest easy, vagabond
Let the towns drift slowly by
Pay no mind to the towns passing by
Don't you feel the steel rail humming
Can't you feel the tracks' soothing melody
That's a hobo's lullaby
This is a song to soothe the wandering homeless
Lyrics Β© CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: GOEBEL REEVES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Doan Ly
Go to sleep you weary hobo
Let the towns drift slowly by
Can't you hear the steel rails hummin'
That's the hobo's lullaby
I know your clothes are torn and ragged
And your hair is turning gray
Lift your head and smile at trouble
You'll find peace and rest someday
Now don't you worry 'bout tomorrow
Let tomorrow come and go
Tonight you're in a nice warm boxcar
Safe from all that wind and snow
I know the police cause you trouble
They cause trouble everywhere
But when you die and go to Heaven
You'll find no policemen there
So go to sleep you weary hobo
Let the towns drift slowly by
Listen to the steel rails hummin'
That's a hobo's lullaby
Matthew Truillo
This very talented lady can write and sing about all walks of life and install a very true meaning in so many souls.
Richard Bell
She has such a beautiful almost other worldly voice. Whoever that is singing with her on the second chorus is amazing too.
Jan Hammer
Thanks Richard for tuning in.
gooddaysahead1
The harmonies were provided by Kate and Anna McGarrigle. These Canadian sisters were wonderful singers who couldn't be genre cast. One of them was married to Loudon Wainwright III, mother to Rufus and Martha Wainwright.
Richard Bell
β@Jan Hammer
My pleasure. Anytime there is music like this, I'm in.
Richard Bell
β@gooddaysahead1
Thanks for the info. I'll definitely be looking them up. Sorry it took so long to reply. I just saw your reply. I've not been back here to listen to this. I first heard this over New Years weekend. I was feeling pretty down when I was out driving and it came on the radio. I spent the weekend with a girl that I was hoping to get a serious relationship going with. It didn't go very well. Something happened the first night that just set a tone that pretty much ruined the weekend for me. So this is just the latest on a list of songs that remind me of a time I try not to think about too much. Well I'm going to shut up now. Sorry if all this was T.M.I. Thanks again.
Elbarto
The voice of an angel.
Mike K
Love this song. ππ Proudly a Hobo-at-heart.
Jan Hammer
Me too. Thanks for checking in.
Michael Bamford
This song is a gem from Emmy's catalogue. One that caught my attention from Folkways album a Vision Shared