RAMBLIN' RECKLESS HOBO

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Song Title
RAMBLIN' RECKLESS HOBO
Writers
Woody Guthrie, Rafael
Publisher
LUDLOW MUSIC, INC. (BMI)
% Publisher Controls
50%
Territory Controlled
WORLD
Themes/Keywords
Cigar, Door, girl, Railroad, Time, Train, travel
Lyrics
I took a walk down to the railroad yards
To see the trains go by;
I knew the trains would run this day,
But I did not know what time;
Good morning, mister railroad man,
What time does your train go by?
At nine sixteen, at two forty-four,
And twenty-five minutes till five.

CHORUS
It’s nine sixteen and two forty-four,
And twenty-five minutes till five?
I thank you, mister railroad man,
I want to watch your trains roll by.

I’m a-standin’ on this rotten platform,
I’m a-smokin’ a snipe cigar,
I’m peelin’ my eye for a steam up job
That’s draggin’ an empty car;
I pull my capbill o’er my eyes,
I’m walkin’ across this track.
I’m swingin’ the rusty ladder, hey,
And I never will glance back.

I’m huggin’ her down ‘round Pittsville town
To kiss m Pittsville girl,
You can bet your chips her name is Pearl,
She wears that Pittsville curl;
I’ll buy her a hat she can tie on her head
Like the big-shot rich folks do;
And the very next freight rolls down this rail,
I’ll kiss my little girl adieu.

I’m a-shufflin’ up to this railroad bull
To shoot him a line of gab;
If you cross my palm with a two-bit piece,
I’ll find you a spot to ride;
I’m not packin’ a nickel, man,
Not a copper can I show;
He booted me off like a stockyard cow,
And he slammed his boxcar door.


He kicked me off on them upperflat plains
Where the wild wind takes my breath,
Where blizzards are born in a bed on the ground,
Where the ‘boes go to freeze to death.
I’ll walk a few miles ‘gainst a stormy snow,
And I’ll dream of my Pittsville girl;
My red-hot dreams will melt your snows
And flood all around this world.

Recordings

Recording Artist Genre Mood Arrangement Era iTunes
BURNETT & RUTHERFORD Country Carefree, Cheerful, Nostalgic, Wandering Banjo, Group Sing, Strings, Vocal 1920's Buy >

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