Ramblin' Reckless Hobo

A ramblin' reckless hobo left his happy home
Started on a western trip, by himself alone
He said, upon this western trip I guess I'll have some fun
Standing at a station house this is the song he sung

Standing on a platform smoking a cheap cigar
Waiting for a freight train to catch an empty car
Thinking of those good old times, wishing they'd come again
I'm a thousand miles away from home, bumming a railroad train

Kind miss, kind miss, won't you give me a bite to eat
A little piece of cold corn bread, a little piece of meat?
She threw her arms around me, say, I'll love you as a friend
But if I give to you this time, you'll be bumming around again

Kind miss, kind miss, don't talk to me so rough
You think I am a hobo because I look so tough
She took me in her kitchen, she treated me nice and kind
She put me in the notion of bumming all the time

When I left her kitchen I went strolling down in town
I heard a double header blow, I thought it was western bound
I walked out to the railroad, out to the railroad shop
I heard the agent tell a man, the freight train would not stop

My heart began to rove around, and I began to sing
If that freight train goes through this town, I'll catch it on the wing
I pulled my cap down over my eyes, and walked out to the track
And caught the stirrup of an empty car, and never did look back

I got off in Danville, got stuck on a Danville girl
You bet your life she's out of sight, she wears the Danville curl
She wears her hair on the back of her head, like high toned people do
But if a west-bound train pulls out tonight I'll bid that girl adieu

Now I am in your city, boys, trying to do what's right
Don't think because I am a railroad boy that I am not all right
My pocketbook is empty, my heart is filled with pain
Ten thousand miles away from home, bumming a railroad train