Hobo's Lullaby

Infobox Standard
title=Hobo's Lullaby
comment=copyright 1961, 1962 'Fall River Music'


image_size=
caption=
writer=
composer=
lyricist=Goebel Reeves
published=
written=
language=English
form=
original_artist=
recorded_by=Arlo Guthrie, Utah Phillips, Jack Elliot, Pete Seeger, Emmylou Harris
performed_by=

Hobo's Lullaby is a song written by Goebel Reeves, and famously performed by various people including folk singer Woody Guthrie, his son Arlo Guthrie, Emmylou Harris, and Ramblin' Jack Eliot. Its music is based on the Carter Family song "Thinking tonight of my blue eyes".

Lyrics

Go to sleep, you weary hobo
Let the town drift slowly by;
Listen to the steel rails humming
That's the hobo's lullaby.
Do not think about tomorrow;
Let tomorrow come and go.
Tonight you have a nice warm boxcar
Free from all the ice and snow.
I know the police cause you trouble,
They make trouble everywhere;
But when you die and go to heaven,
Well, you won't find police there.
Now do not let your heart be troubled
If the world calls you a bum;
'Cause if your mother lives, she loves you
Well, you are still your mother's son.

Variations

1. As sung by Arlo Guthrie
Go to sleep you weary hobo
Let the towns drift slowly by
Can't you hear the steel rail humming
That's a hobo's lullaby
Do not think about tomorrow
Let tomorrow come and go
Tonight you're in a nice warm boxcar
Safe from all the wind and snow
I know the police cause you trouble
They cause trouble everywhere
But when you die and go to heaven
You won't find no policemen there
I know your clothes are torn and ragged
And your hair is turning grey
Lift your head and smile at trouble
You'll find happiness some day
So go to sleep you weary hobo
Let the towns drift slowly by
Don't you feel the steel rail humming
That's a hobo's lullaby
2. As sung by Danny Kyle
Go to sleep, you weary hobo
And let the towns drift slowly by
Can't you hear the steel rails humming
And that's the hobo's lullaby
Though your clothes are torn and ragged
And your hair is turning grey
Soon you'll be in a nice warm boxcar
Free among the new mown hay
And though policemen they cause you trouble
And they cause trouble everywhere
When you die and you go to Heaven
Then you'll find no policemen there

So stand up my people sing of freedomNever you mind what's over yonder hillYou just stand up sing your songs of freedomAnd always remember old Joe Hill

Published Versions

* Rise Up Singing page 133