John Prine - The Hobo Song lyrics

There was a time

when lonely men would wander

thru this land

rolling aimlessly along

so many times

I've heard of their sad story

written in the words

of dead men's songs.

Down through the years

many men have yearned

for freedom

some found it

only on the open road

so many tears of blood

have fell around us

'cause you can't always do what you are told.

Please tell me where

have all the hobos gone to

I see no fire burning down

by the rusty railroad track

could it be that time

has gone and left them

tied up in life's eternal traveling sack.

Last Sunday night

I wrote a letter

to my loved one

I signed my name

and knew I'd stayed away

too long

there was a time

when my heart was free to wander

and I remember as I sing

this hobo song.