August 2003

The Ballad of Hobo Dan

Just about a year ago, Godzilla and I promised one of my brothers $15 and a bandana if he became a hobo. He did just that, and we called him Hobo Dan. Here is a song about him and his adventures. As a singer of traditional American folk ballads, I found his adventures fit quite well into my song writing style. A friend suggested I turn his story into a bluegrass tune, but I didn't want to do that.

Here is "The Ballad of Hobo Dan". Take it or leave it.

This is the Ballad of Hobo Dan
Who rides the rails across America
With fifteen bucks, he'll sing and dance
And we'll make glad we knew him when…

Back in the summer of old oh-two
We gave him some dough for the trip
And packed his bandana with food and cigarettes
So he could make friends on the rails

I sing the Ballad of Hobo Dan
Who rides the rails across America
With fifteen bucks, he'll sing and dance
And we'll make glad we knew him when…

At night he'd get bored with silence,
and fill Dixie cups with his poo
Whippin' 'em at cars and street signs
He'd laugh himself back to sleep!

You got the Ballad of Hobo Dan
Who rides the rails across America
With fifteen bucks, he'll sing and dance
And we'll make glad we knew him when…

He sent a postcard from Madison
Sayin' he'd be married in a week
Next postcard read that he'd done slit
When she said she wanted a home

This here's the Ballad of Hobo Dan
Who rides the rails across America
With fifteen bucks, he'll sing and dance
And we'll make glad we knew him when…

His heart was broke, but he was strong.
He left from there to Denver town
He found a hobo convention there
and learned about hygiene and dancin'

My lord! The Ballad of Hobo Dan
He rides the rails across America
With fifteen bucks, he'll sing and dance
And we'll make glad we knew him when…

After he went from Denver town
He made a call from Mexico
He'd got the flu from a well
But he'd be fine because he's Dan!

This is the Ballad of Hobo Dan
Who rides the rails across America
With fifteen bucks, he'll sing and dance
And we'll make glad we knew him when…

He's back from his trip
A new kind of man.
Our Hobo Dan will never be the same.

He found America,
He wants some more,
and tomorrow he'll be gone with the trains.

And I keep singing…

I'll sing the Ballad of Hobo Dan
Who rides the rails across America
With fifteen bucks, he'll sing and dance
And we'll make glad we knew him when…

Ya-hoo!