Lyrics:
The Lonely Hobo [Version (a)]:
I'm just a lonely hobo that's riding on a train
And searching for my sweetheart, but searching all in vain
If I could only find you, dear, and clasp you to my heart
If I could only kiss your lips, I know we'd never part
They said you were in Texas about a year ago
I searched for you in Texas, but no one seems to know
I asked a man in Kansas if he knew just where to find
A pair of beautiful blue eyes, a head of golden hair
A pair of eyes that's smiling, a face that's fair to see
A heart full of joy and love - that girl belongs to me
A teardrop came into his eyes and this is what he said
"My boy, I hate to tell you, but your dear sweetheart is dead"
He knew what he was saying, I very soon found out
Then he showed me a picture; there couldn't be any doubt
I'm sad and brokenhearted, sir, my heart is filled with pain
For I am just a lonely hobo riding on a train
I'm just a lonely hobo that's riding on a train
And searching for my sweetheart, but searching all in vain
If I could only find you, dear, and clasp you to my heart
If I could only kiss your lips, I know we'd never part
They said you were in Texas about a year ago
I searched for you in Texas, but no one seems to know
I asked a man in Kansas if he knew just where to find
A pair of beautiful blue eyes, a head of golden hair
A pair of eyes that's smiling, a face that's fair to see
A heart full of joy and love - that girl belongs to me
A teardrop came into his eyes and this is what he said
"My boy, I hate to tell you, but your dear sweetheart is dead"
He knew what he was saying, I very soon found out
Then he showed me a picture; there couldn't be any doubt
I'm sad and brokenhearted, sir, my heart is filled with pain
For I am just a lonely hobo riding on a train
The Song:
In order for it to feel more authentic, Beck filled out his Song Reader book with fragments of songs and melodies, as well as fictional album collections and made-up song titles. "The Lonely Hobo" is listed as part of the The Manly Family Song Album, and is copyrighted. It is also part of a trilogy, alongside "The Yodeling Hobo" and "The Twelve-Toed Hobo."
Many of the titles on the back of "Saint Dude" are references to older sheet music/songs. "The Lonely Hobo" seems to be a reference to a 1932 song called "Just A Lonely Hobo."
In order for it to feel more authentic, Beck filled out his Song Reader book with fragments of songs and melodies, as well as fictional album collections and made-up song titles. "The Lonely Hobo" is listed as part of the The Manly Family Song Album, and is copyrighted. It is also part of a trilogy, alongside "The Yodeling Hobo" and "The Twelve-Toed Hobo."
Many of the titles on the back of "Saint Dude" are references to older sheet music/songs. "The Lonely Hobo" seems to be a reference to a 1932 song called "Just A Lonely Hobo."