The Hobo Song
John Prine Lyrics


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There was a time
When lonely men would wander
Through this land
Rolling aimlessly along
So many times
I've heard of their sad story
Written in the words
Of dead men's songs

Down through the years
Many men have yearned
For freedom
Some found it
Only on the open road
So many tears of blood
Have fell around us
'Cause you can't always do what you are told.

Please tell me where
Have all the hobos gone to
I see no fire burning down
By the rusty railroad track
Could it be that time
Has gone and left them
Tied up in life's eternal traveling sack.

Last Sunday night
I wrote a letter
To my loved one
I signed my name
And knew I'd stayed away
Too long
There was a time
When my heart was free to wander




And I remember as I sing
This hobo song

Overall Meaning

John Prine's song The Hobo Song follows a narrative about the wandering, lonely men of the past who used to roam aimlessly through the land. The lyrics describe these men as sometimes finding freedom only on the open road, and how many of them lived in sorrow, as they couldn't always follow what they were told to do. The chorus then poses the question, "Please tell me where have all the hobos gone to?", pondering whether these men have vanished into the pages of history, stuck forever in their endless travels. Finally, in the last verse, Prine himself writes a letter to his loved one, reminiscing about the time his heart was free to wander and his regret for staying away for too long.


The song reflects on the American tradition of hoboing, where itinerant workers traveled by freight train and hitchhiking in search of work during the Great Depression. The deep sense of introspective longing in Prine's lyrics resonates with freedom-seeking individuals everywhere. It illustrates the profound impact of circular journeys and return in one's life and how even when roads of life are rough, they continue to remain vital.


Line by Line Meaning

There was a time
There was an era in the past


When lonely men would wander
When men who had no family or friends would aimlessly travel


Through this land
Through the country


Rolling aimlessly along
Traveling without a clear destination or purpose


So many times
Very frequently


I've heard of their sad story
I've learned about their unfortunate lives


Written in the words
Documented in the lyrics


Of dead men's songs
Of songs composed by deceased individuals


Down through the years
Over time


Many men have yearned
A lot of individuals have had a strong desire


For freedom
For liberty and independence


Some found it
Some achieved it


Only on the open road
Exclusively on the highways


So many tears of blood
So much anguish and pain


Have fell around us
Have affected us


'Cause you can't always do what you are told.
Because following orders isn't always possible


Please tell me where
Kindly indicate to me the location


Have all the hobos gone to
Did all the wanderers leave


I see no fire burning down
I don't see any flames lighting up


By the rusty railroad track
Next to the corroded railway line


Could it be that time
Is it possible that the period


Has gone and left them
Has passed and abandoned them


Tied up in life's eternal traveling sack.
Confined in an never-ending journey in life


Last Sunday night
The previous Sunday evening


I wrote a letter
I composed a message


To my loved one
To the person I care for


I signed my name
I put my signature


And knew I'd stayed away
And realized I had been gone for too long


Too long
For an excessive amount of time


There was a time
There existed an era


When my heart was free to wander
When I had no constraints on where to travel


And I remember as I sing
And I recollect while I perform


This hobo song
This anthem of the wandering vagrants




Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: John Prine

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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