Hobo's Meditation
The Trio Lyrics


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Written by Jimmie Rodgers
© 1933 Peer International Corp

Last night as I lay on the boxcar
Just waiting for a train to pass by
What will become of the hobo
Whenever his time comes to die
There's a Master up yonder in heaven
Got a place that we might call our home
Will we have to work for a living
Or can we continue to roam

Will there be any freight trains in heaven
Any boxcars in which we might hide
Will there be any tough cops or brakemen
Will they tell us that we cannot ride

Will the hobo chum with the rich man
Will we always have money to spare
Will they have respect for the hobo
In that land that lies hidden up there

Will there be any freight trains in heaven
Any boxcars in which we might hide
Will there be any tough cops or brakemen
Will they tell us that we cannot ride

Will the hobo chum with the rich man
Will we always have money to spare




Will they have respect for the hobo
In that land that lies hidden up there

Overall Meaning

The Trio's song Hobo's Meditation, written by Jimmie Rodgers, is a contemplation about the hobo's fate and existence after death. The song starts with a visual description of the artist lying on the boxcar, waiting for the train to pass by. The artist uses this setting to ponder the fate of the hobo when he dies. He questions whether the hobo will be able to find a place to call home in heaven, or will he be required to work for a living. The singer contemplates whether the hobo will be able to continue his wandering ways or will be forced to settle down to a new life. These questions are asked in a somber and reflective manner, conveying the uncertain and harsh nature of the hobo's life.


The singer then goes on to ask further questions about whether there will be any freight trains or boxcars in heaven for the hobos to ride on. Will there still be tough cops or brakemen telling them they cannot ride? Will hobos chum with rich men and always have money to spare, or will they still be looked down upon and disrespected? These are difficult questions to answer, and the song effectively captures the uncertainties and fears that the hobo feels about his existence both in life and after death.


Overall, Hobo's Meditation is a poignant and reflective song that captures the harsh realities of hobo life and their uncertain fate in death.


Line by Line Meaning

Last night as I lay on the boxcar
I was on a boxcar last night, just lying down.


Just waiting for a train to pass by
I was waiting for a train to pass by.


What will become of the hobo
I wonder what will happen to hobos.


Whenever his time comes to die
When they die, what will happen to hobos?


There's a Master up yonder in heaven
There's a Master in heaven.


Got a place that we might call our home
He has a place for us in his home.


Will we have to work for a living
Will we need to find jobs in heaven?


Or can we continue to roam
Can we still travel around in heaven?


Will there be any freight trains in heaven
Will there be any trains in heaven?


Any boxcars in which we might hide
Will there be boxcars in which we can hide?


Will there be any tough cops or brakemen
Will there be cops or brakemen in heaven?


Will they tell us that we cannot ride
Will they prevent us from getting on the trains?


Will the hobo chum with the rich man
Will hobos be friends with rich people?


Will we always have money to spare
Will we always have extra money?


Will they have respect for the hobo
Will people in heaven respect hobos?


In that land that lies hidden up there
In the hidden land of heaven.




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JIMMIE RODGERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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