Hobo's Lullaby
Guthrie Woody Lyrics
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Let the towns drift slowly by
Listen to the steel rails hummin'
That's the hobo's lullaby
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Do not think 'bout tomorrow
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
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
The lyrics of Woody Guthrie's "Hobo's Lullaby" speak to the experiences of homeless and destitute people who are forced to ride the rails in search of work, food, and shelter. The hobo in the song is urged to forget about tomorrow and focus on the present moment as he drifts along the tracks. The steel rails serve as a soothing and hypnotic backdrop to his weary thoughts, prompting him to close his eyes and rest. The police are depicted as omnipresent oppressors, who cause trouble wherever the hobo goes. However, the song suggests that there is hope beyond this unjust world, as there will be no police in heaven.
The lullaby offers a sense of comfort to those who are struggling to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world. It acknowledges the hardships of the hobo's life but also offers a sense of quiet resignation and acceptance. The imagery of the train tracks and the hum of the steel provide a sense of continuity and stability, even in the face of constant motion and uncertainty. The hobo's lullaby, in essence, is a song of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Go to sleep you weary hobo
Rest now, oh tired wanderer
Let the towns drift slowly by
Allow these urban landscapes to fade into the distance
Listen to the steel rails hummin'
Hear the melody of the iron tracks
That's the hobo's lullaby
A song for those who wander and have no place to call home
Do not think 'bout tomorrow
Live in the present, don't worry about the future
Let tomorrow come and go
Allow it to pass without worrying about it
Tonight you're in a nice warm boxcar
The shelter of a railcar will keep you warm and safe
Safe from all that wind and snow
Out of reach from the harsh weather conditions
I know the police cause you trouble
I understand that law enforcement can give you a hard time
They cause trouble everywhere
They're unavoidable and present in every place
But when you die and go to heaven
In the afterlife, you will not find any police
You'll find no policemen there
They do not exist in the divine realm
So go to sleep you weary hobo
Close your eyes and rest, my vagabond friend
Let the towns drift slowly by
Let the cities glide away from your sight
Listen to the steel rails hummin'
Pay attention to the peaceful tune of the train tracks
That's a hobo's lullaby
It's a soothing melody for those who don't have a home to call their own
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: GOEBEL REEVES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jacuncao
Go 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
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
@zachriccardo1226
"But when when you die and go to heaven, you'll find no policemen there"
Sick burn from woody
@cozyzz9946
If you only knew more of him and his generation of minstrels!
@kyrythkessler1316
Woody wasn't the original writer.
@jayadams8728
Out of the hundreds of artists out there, this one used his studio time to sing to homeless people. Awesome.
@princezzpuffypants6287
Have you listened to his Dust Bowl Songs? Worth checking out and I believe they are all available free on YouTube
@emersonsmithereens2094
He was one
@jwbf986
My great grandad used to tell stories of the Great Depression. He got thrown out of his house and had to hop trains and sleep on the streets, stay in shantytowns and whatnot. This song reminds me of him. Rest In Peace Grandaddy.
@Ricardo54975
I’m sorry for your loss🙏❤️
@AndresGarcia-ns9ok
Did he go through Dustbowls
@SandfordSmythe
One of the reasons for the CCC.