Hurley's debut album, First Songs, was recorded for Folkways Records in 1965 on the same reel-to-reel machine that taped Leadbelly's Last Sessions. He was "discovered" by blues and jazz historian Frederick Ramsey III, and subsequently championed by boyhood friend Jesse Colin Young, who released his 2nd & 3rd albums on The Youngbloods' Warner Bros. imprint, Raccoon. In the late 70's, Hurley made three albums for Rounder, all of which have since been reissued on CD. His 1976 LP Have Moicy, a collaboration with the Unholy Modal Rounders and Jeffrey Frederick & The Clamtones, was named "the greatest folk album of the rock era" by the Village Voice's Robert Christgau.
In 1996, Koch Records released Wolfways with Hurley backed by Mickey Bones - Drums, Gus Ziesing - percussion, Jill Gross - Harmony Vocals, Jim Harvey - Trombone, Dan Archer and Bob Jordan - Guitars and Mike Boise - Bass. Tours with Son Volt and high praise from younger performers like Lucinda Williams, Vic Chesnutt, Calexico, Cat Power and Robin Holcomb followed.
Greg Weeks of Espers noted in an eBay auction in July 2006 that the band has begun work on a collaborative album with Hurley.
Gnomonsong released the Michael Hurley album titled "Ancestral Swamp" on September 18, 2007. Backing was provided by longtime Hurley associate David Reisch of the Holy Modal Rounders and new friends Tara Jane O'Neil and Lewi Longmire.
In 2021 Hurley released "The Time of the Foxgloves".
Just a Bum
Michael Hurley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the years that I lived people say that my time′s been wasted
Sitting by the fireside dreaming all night
Making love drunk in a meadow 'neath the pale moonlight
Traveling over land like a natural born man
Just a hobo...
Easy come
Don′t you
See don't you know...
Your loving hobo
Standing in the rain baby trying to flag a ride
Open up your door babe it's cold outside
I got a little wine hun, we′ll have a little fun
Just a tramp...
Call me what you like
See me traveling down the pike
And singing love songs
I′m sitting by the fireside dreaming all night
Making love drunk in a meadow 'neath the pale moonlight
Traveling over land like a natural born man
Call me rambler...
I guess the time′s rolled around
My feet are up
My head is down
I'm a-whirling on babe
I′m gonna catch a freight train before midnight
Morning sun won't find me anywheres in sight
Remember that I love you, was my loving all right?
Just a hobo...
Easy come
Easy go
Don′t you see
Don't you know...
Your loving hobo
The song "Just a Bum" by Michael Hurley is a beautiful display of folk mastery that captures the essence of wandering, loneliness, and love. The song begins with Hurley confessing how people have always told him that his life is a waste since he spends most of his time sitting by the fireside, dreaming, and traveling. The lyrics "just a bum" is used to describe the wanderlust spirit, and it's an acknowledgment that people may not understand this way of living.
Throughout the song, Hurley describes the different labels he is often given, including hobo, tramp, rambler, or just a bum. However, these names do not define him or his experiences. He sings about wandering through life, making love in meadows beneath the pale moonlight, and finding shelter from rain in the arms of a loved one.
The song's chorus, "Easy come, easy go, don't you see, don't you know, your loving hobo," speaks to the simplicity of life as a wanderer and the willingness to accept whatever comes his way. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of the beauty and freedom found in traveling without a plan, seeking new experiences, and creating lifelong memories.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a bum...
I have been called a bum, which means I am homeless and have no value to society.
All the years that I lived people say that my time’s been wasted
People have looked down on me for my lifestyle and do not see the worth in what I do with my time.
Sitting by the fireside dreaming all night
I often spend my time dreaming and thinking by the warmth of a fire.
Making love drunk in a meadow ‘neath the pale moonlight
Sometimes, I find love and intimacy in unexpected places, like a meadow under the moonlight.
Traveling over land like a natural born man
I travel far and wide, living off the land as I go, like a true nomad.
Just a hobo...
I am also called a hobo, which means I travel from place to place as a migrant worker or homeless person.
Easy come, easy go
I often lose things easily since I have so little, but I do not get too worked up about it.
Don’t you see, Don’t you know...Your loving hobo
I hope that you can see my love for you, even though I am poor and often alone.
Standing in the rain baby trying to flag a ride
I find myself often out in the rain, trying to hitch a ride to the next place.
Open up your door babe it’s cold outside
I often seek shelter in the kindness and warmth of strangers.
I got a little wine hun, we’ll have a little fun
Sometimes I have unexpected pleasures to share, like a bottle of wine to enjoy together.
Just a tramp...
Another name I am called is tramp, which again means I live as a wanderer, without a place to call home.
Call me what you like, See me traveling down the pike
I have been called many names along my travels, but I continue on my journey, focused on the road ahead.
And singing love songs. I’m sitting by the fireside dreaming all night
Despite my difficult life, I still find beauty and joy, singing about love and dreaming by the fire.
Making love drunk in a meadow 'neath the pale moonlight. Traveling over land like a natural born man
Again, I find intimacy in unexpected places, and I continue to travel with the ease of someone born to a nomadic lifestyle.
Call me rambler...
Rambler is yet another name I have been called that describes my wandering lifestyle.
I guess the time’s rolled around, My feet are up, My head is down
As time passes, I find myself growing weary, with my feet up and my head down for rest.
I’m a-whirling on babe. I’m gonna catch a freight train before midnight
Even while resting, I am always thinking about my next move and how to move quickly, like catching a freight train.
Morning sun won’t find me anywheres in sight
By the time the sun comes up, I will be long gone, continuing my travels and searching for a place to call home.
Remember that I love you, was my loving all right?
I hope that you remember my love for you, even though my way of showing it may be different from what you expect.
Writer(s): Michael Hurley
Contributed by Brody A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.