Jimmie Brown the Newsboy
Jimmie Dale Gilmore Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I sell the morning papers sir, my name is Jimmy Brown
Everybody knows that I'm the newsboy of the town
You can hear me yelling Morning Star running along the street
Got no hat upon my head, no shoes upon my feet

Never mind sir how I look don't look at me and frown
Sell the morning papers sir my name is Jimmy Brown
I'm awful cold and hungry sir my clothes is mighty thin
I wander about from place to place my daily bread to win

My father died a drunkard sir I've heard my mother say
I am helping mother sir as I journey on my way
My mother always tells me sir, nothing in the world to lose
I'll get a place in heaven sir to sell the gospel news

I sell the morning papers sir my name is Jimmy Brown
Everybody knows that I'm the newsboy of the town





You can hear me yelling Morning Star running along the street
Got no hat upon my head, no shoes upon my feet

Overall Meaning

The song "Jimmie Brown the Newsboy" by Jimmie Dale Gilmore tells the story of a young boy who sells newspapers on the street to help support his family. Despite his difficult circumstances, Jimmy is always polite and eager to make a few cents from passersby. He describes his poverty, stating that he has no shoes on his feet and his clothes are thin. He also mentions his father's death due to alcoholism and how he is helping his mother as they journey through life together. However, Jimmy remains hopeful and optimistic, as his mother has taught him that he has nothing to lose and that he will one day join her in heaven to sell the gospel news.


The song highlights the struggles of poverty and the difficult circumstances that some families face. Despite his hardships, Jimmy shows resilience and resilience in the face of adversity, keeping a positive attitude throughout. The song also emphasizes the importance of family and the ways in which children often have to take on adult responsibilities to help support those they love. Overall, "Jimmie Brown the Newsboy" is a touching and poignant song that captures the spirit of perseverance and determination in the face of difficult times.


Line by Line Meaning

I sell the morning papers sir, my name is Jimmy Brown
I earn money by selling newspapers in the morning, and my name is Jimmy Brown.


Everybody knows that I'm the newsboy of the town
Everyone in town recognizes me as the newsboy.


You can hear me yelling Morning Star running along the street
I shout the name of the newspaper (Morning Star) while running and selling it on the street.


Got no hat upon my head, no shoes upon my feet
I don't have a hat or shoes to wear.


Never mind sir how I look don't look at me and frown
Please don't judge me by my appearance and frown at me.


Sell the morning papers sir my name is Jimmy Brown
I'm still selling newspapers, and my name is still Jimmy Brown.


I'm awful cold and hungry sir my clothes is mighty thin
I'm cold and hungry, and my clothes are very thin.


I wander about from place to place my daily bread to win
I move around from place to place to earn enough money to survive.


My father died a drunkard sir I've heard my mother say
My father passed away because of alcohol addiction, as my mother told me.


I am helping mother sir as I journey on my way
I'm supporting my mother financially while continuing to sell newspapers.


My mother always tells me sir, nothing in the world to lose
My mother encourages me by reminding me that there's nothing to lose.


I'll get a place in heaven sir to sell the gospel news
My mother believes that I'll go to heaven and sell gospel news there.




Contributed by Jonathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions