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In a review of "Songs of the Iron Trail," Regina's Jim MacLean commented: "If there's such a thing as a classic Canadian railway song 'Hobo's Song to the Mounties' is it." We agree. Wilf Carter, legendary prairie singer (aka Montana Slim in the US), wrote this song. It was first released as a 78 rpm recording in 1934 (Bluebird B4988B) and later published in Wilf's third song book (Cowboy Songs by Wilf Carter. Toronto ON: Thompson, 1938). According to Emily Freidman, the tune is "Blue Bell."
More information: "The folksong tradition of the 1930's" in Francis & Ganzevoort's The dirty thirties in prairie Canada. Vancouver BC: Tantalus, 1980). Click HERE to see more background on this song.
(Barry: vocal, guitar, harmonica; Tim: guitar; Patty: bass)
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Oh, listen to the song of the hobo
Ridin' on the eastbound train
Amid the cinders flyin' from the old smoke-stack
Oh, listen to the sweet refrain.
Chorus: We're a jolly bunch of hobos
No money not a job can we find
So Mister Redcoat don't let us keep you waiting
We're just agoing little further down the line.
Have you folks ever stopped to consider
What it was to have no money, not a dime
Just fill yourselves with air and sunshine
Like us hobos that are riding on the line.
They say we have no worries
No taxes, gas or coal bills to pay
We get our heat and gas from the old smoke-stack
As the old train goes rattlin' on her way.
We never stop to worry
The engineer is watchin' the line
All we got to do is watch the Mountie
And we have no trouble gettin' off in time.
His coat and buttons glistening in the sunshine
And at his belt is hung a wicked gun
Waitin' there to catch a bunch of hobos
'Cause depression's made us all go on the bum.
Do the police ever stop to consider
That we are helping them in their jobs
If they didn't have the fun of keeping us on the run
Then they'd all be with us riding on the rods.
Our country is so rich we go hungry
With wheat and flour piled up galore
And everybody wondering what's the trouble
Why depression keeps on knocking at our door.
And now you're heard our story
We have to be moving on our way
They chase us going east, they chase us going west
Now I wonder where they think we're going to stay.
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