Poor Boy Blues
Hancock Wayne Lyrics
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I got no money to pay my dues
Yodal-lay-ee oh lord I got the poor boy blues
There's soda pop over that hill
But I got no car or a dollar bill
Yodal-lay-ee oh lord I got the poor boy blues
Well I got no money and I got no home
Just my draft pick shoes and the world to roam
A ridin' the rails and seein' the sites
Sleepin' all day and stayin' up nights
Well I got no ride, but that's alright
I'll jump a freight train later on tonight
Yodal-lay-ee oh lord I got the poor boy blues
[Interlude]
(repeat refrain)
Well I got no money to pay my rent
Just a pocket full of change worth fifteen cents
Yodal-lay-ee oh lord I got the poor boy blues
The lyrics to Hancock Wayne's song "Poor Boy Blues" paint a vivid picture of a man who is down on his luck, financially and socially. He describes himself as having a worn-out suit, worn shoes, and no money to pay his dues. The refrain of the song further emphasizes his situation, as he has no money or home and is simply riding the rails and seeing the sights. He sleeps all day and stays up all night, showing the desperation and despair of someone who has hit rock bottom.
The bridge of the song is particularly poignant, as he describes having no ride, but being content to jump a freight train later on that night. This speaks to his resourcefulness and resilience, as he is willing to take risks in order to survive. The final verse of the song highlights his lack of resources, describing how he has no money to pay his rent and only a pocket full of change worth fifteen cents. Overall, the lyrics to "Poor Boy Blues" are a powerful testament to the plight of the working class and those who struggle to make ends meet.
Line by Line Meaning
Worn out suit, worn shoes
I am wearing an old, worn-out suit with worn shoes
I got no money to pay my dues
I am broke and cannot pay my expenses
Yodal-lay-ee oh lord I got the poor boy blues
I am singing about my struggles as a poor boy
There's soda pop over that hill
There is a store selling soda in the nearby hill
But I got no car or a dollar bill
Unfortunately, I have neither money nor a car
Well I got no money and I got no home
I don't have any money or a place to call home
Just my draft pick shoes and the world to roam
All I have with me are my worn-out shoes and I am wandering around the world
A ridin' the rails and seein' the sites
I am traveling by train and exploring new places
Sleepin' all day and stayin' up nights
I'm awake all night and sleeping during the day since I have no routine
Well I got no ride, but that's alright
Even without transportation, I am okay
I'll jump a freight train later on tonight
I plan on hitchhiking on a cargo train later tonight
I got no money to pay my rent
Unfortunately, I don't have enough money to pay my rent
Just a pocket full of change worth fifteen cents
I have only fifteen cents in change in my pocket
Yodal-lay-ee oh lord I got the poor boy blues
I am singing about my poor boy blues, the struggles of financially deprived people
Contributed by Aaliyah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.