When I first thought to hobo'in, hobo'in, 
I took a freight train to be my friend, oh Lord 
You know I hobo'd, hobo'd, hobo'd, hobo'd, 
Hobo'd a long, long way from home, oh Lord 
Yes, my mother followed me that mornin', me that mornin' 
She followed me down to the yard, oh yeah 
She said my son he'd gone, he'd gone, he'd gone 
Yes he's gone in a, poorsome wear*, oh yeah 
Yes I left my dear old mother, dear old mother 
I left my honor, need a crime, oh Lord 
Take care of my child, 
Take care, take care of my child