Hobo Names

[Keith Cordell]

I found this link to a tune in archive.org that is a song that is one hour long listing 700 hobo names. It is unusual enough that I thought some of you might enjoy it. I think we all need hobo names now.

http://ia300126.us.archive.org/2/items/ ... _Names.mp3

Here are the hobo rules;
As inscribed in the Annual Convention Congress of the Hoboes of America held on August 8, 1894 at the Hotel Alden, 917 Market St., Chicago Illinois;

1.-Decide your own life, don’t let another person run or rule you.

2.-When in town, always respect the local law and officials, and try to be a gentleman at all times.

3.-Don’t take advantage of someone who is in a vulnerable situation, locals or other hobos.

4.-Always try to find work, even if temporary, and always seek out jobs nobody wants. By doing so you not only help a business along, but insure employment should you return to that town again.

5.-When no employment is available, make your own work by using your added talents at crafts.

6.-Do not allow yourself to become a stupid drunk and set a bad example for locals treatment of other hobos.

7.-When jungling in town, respect handouts, do not wear them out, another hobo will be coming along who will need them as bad, if not worse than you.

8.-Always respect nature, do not leave garbage where you are jungling.

9.-If in a community jungle, always pitch in and help.

10.-Try to stay clean, and boil up wherever possible.

11.-When traveling, ride your train respectfully, take no personal chances, cause no problems with the operating crew or host railroad, act like an extra crew member.

12.-Do not cause problems in a train yard, Another hobo will be coming along who will need passage thru that yard.

13.-Do not allow other hobos to molest children, expose to authorities all molesters, they are the worst garbage to infest any society.

14.-Help all runaway children, and try to induce them to return home.

15.-Help your fellow hobos whenever and wherever needed, you may need their help someday.

16.-If present at a hobo court and you have testimony, give it, whether for or against the accused, your voice counts!

[Edward Meisse]

I couldn't get the link to work. I think it's my machine. But do you know that there is a hobo convention every year in one of the big plains states? There is also a hobo performer named Utah Phillips. He is quite aged at this time. But he still puts on a great show.

[Keith Cordell]

You might want to cut and paste the link. Utah Phillips is amazing, I have quite a few of his tunes.

[Delvin Morgan]

In the 80's, I went a hobo convention in a little town in Iowa. A lot of the "hobos" were selling poetry and music books. It was pretty tough to feel sympathy for them when they pulled out their Martin D28's and Gibson acoustics. But it was still a lot of fun, and some good music.

[Don Sulesky]

It's too bad many of us don't live by their rules.

[Eric West]

Happy Eric.



EJL