Hobo's Lullaby
Woody Guthrie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let the towns drift slowly by
Listen to the steel rails hummin'
That's the hobo's lullaby
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Do not think 'bout tomorrowLet tomorrow come and go
Tonight you're in a nice warm boxcar
Safe from all that wind and snow
I know the police cause you trouble
They cause trouble everywhere
But when you die and go to Heaven
You'll find no policemen there
So go to sleep you weary hobo
Let the towns drift slowly by
Listen to the steel rails hummin'
That's a hobo's lullaby
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Woody Guthrie's "Hobo's Lullaby" is a song about the life of a hobo - one who travels from place to place looking for work, food, and shelter. The song is a soothing lullaby that urges the weary hobo to rest and let go of all worries. The opening lines, "Go to sleep you weary hobo, let the towns drift slowly by," portrays the life of a traveling hobo who wanders around the country without any permanent place to call home. The steel rails humming are the only constant sound in their life that brings comfort and a sense of belonging.
The lyrics also touch upon the harsh realities of the hobo life, the uncertainty of tomorrow, and the constant threat of being chased by the police. The song urges the hobo not to worry about tomorrow and instead embrace the temporary safety of a warm boxcar. It also acknowledges the mistreatment and harassment the hobos face from the police but reaffirms the belief that there will be no police in heaven. The song's final lines reiterate the lullaby's message, urging the hobo to let go and fall asleep, listening to the comforting hum of the steel rails.
Line by Line Meaning
Go to sleep you weary hobo
Rest now, tired wanderer
Let the towns drift slowly by
Watch the city lights fade as you leave and let the world pass you by
Listen to the steel rails hummin'
Hear the comforting sound of the train tracks as you travel
That's the hobo's lullaby
A soothing tune for those living life on the road
Do not think 'bout tomorrow
Forget about the uncertainty of the future
Let tomorrow come and go
Let it happen as it will without worry or fear
Tonight you're in a nice warm boxcar
Enjoy the comfort of this shelter tonight
Safe from all that wind and snow
Protected from the harsh weather outside
I know the police cause you trouble
I understand the challenges you face with law enforcement
They cause trouble everywhere
It's not just you, police create problems for everyone
But when you die and go to Heaven
In the afterlife, in a better place than this world
You'll find no policemen there
There will be no authority figures in this holy place
So go to sleep you weary hobo
Rest now, tired wanderer
Let the towns drift slowly by
Watch the city lights fade as you leave and let the world pass you by
Listen to the steel rails hummin'
Hear the comforting sound of the train tracks as you travel
That's a hobo's lullaby
A soothing tune for those living life on the road
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: GOEBEL REEVES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind