Hobo's Lullaby
Pete Seeger (Family) Lyrics

The song "Hobo" by Pete Seeger is a poignant ballad about a hobo trying to find solace in the silence of night. The song starts with the lyrics, "Go to sleep you weary hobo, Let the towns drift slowly by." It seems like a lullaby meant to comfort the hobo, who is tired of travelling and wants to rest. The next line, "Can't you hear the steel rail humming, That's a hobo's lullaby," adds a touch of irony to the song. The hobo may have found comfort in the sound of the train in the past, but it is also a reminder of his rootlessness and inability to settle down anywhere.

The song then suggests that the hobo should not worry about the future, "Do not think about tomorrow, Let tomorrow come and go." It seems like the hobo is being advised to live in the present and enjoy the moment, rather than worry about things he cannot control. The next line, "Tonight you're in a nice warm boxcar, Safe from all the wind and snow," reinforces the idea of finding comfort in small things.

The song ends with a message of hope, "Lift your head and smile at trouble, You'll find happiness someday. So go to sleep, you weary hobo," that the hobo will eventually find happiness despite all the troubles he has faced in life. It's a moving song that speaks of the hardships of transient life and the importance of finding small moments of happiness amidst all the struggles.