Harry McClintock (October 8, 1882 - April 24, 1957), also known as "Haywire Mac," was an American country music composer and labor organizer, best known for his song "Big Rock Candy Mountain", as well as his ballad, "Hallelujah, I'm a Bum". He was also credited as being the first person to sing "The Preacher and the Slave", a song by Joe Hill, in public. He was a lifelong member of the Industrial Workers of the World. McClintock was from Knoxville, Tennessee.
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A nice simple hobo song by the great Harry Mcclintock.
I'm not sure about the key of the song, put I play it it in G. Lyrics vary in different versions, I just typed out the ones to the recording I had and included some others at the end.
GC Rejoice and be glad, for the spring time has come, GD We can throw down out shovels and go on the bum
GCGD Hallelujah, I'm a bum, Hallelujah, bum again, GCDG Hallelujah, give us a handout, To revive us again
The springtime has come and I'm just out of jail, Without any money, without any bail
Hallelujah, I'm a bum, Hallelujah, bum again, Hallelujah, give us a handout, To revive us again
I went to a house and I wrapped on the door, And the lady said, "Bum, bum, you've been here before."
Hallelujah, I'm a bum, Hallelujah, bum again, Hallelujah, give us a handout, To revive us again
I like Jim Hill, He's a good friend of mine, That is why I am hiking down Jim Hill's main line
Hallelujah, I'm a bum, Hallelujah, bum again, Hallelujah, give us a handout, To revive us again
I went to a house, and I asked for some bread, And the lady said "Bum, bum, the baker is dead."
Hallelujah, I'm a bum, Hallelujah, bum again, Hallelujah, give us a handout, To revive us again
Oh why don't you work like other men do? Now how can I work when there's no work to do?
Hallelujah, I'm a bum, Hallelujah, bum again, Hallelujah, give us a handout, To revive us again
Why don't you save all the money you earn? If I didn't eat, I'd have money to burn
Hallelujah, I'm a bum, Hallelujah, bum again, Hallelujah, give us a handout, To revive us again
I don't like work, and work don't like me, and that is the reason I am so hungry
Hallelujah, I'm a bum, Hallelujah, bum again, Hallelujah, give us a handout, To revive us again
Some Alternate Verses:
I can't buy a job 'cause I ain't got the dough, So I ride in a boxcar 'cause I'm a hobo
Why don't you work like other men do? How can I get a job when you're holding down two?
I went to a bar and I asked for a drink, They gave me a cup and said there's the sink
Why don't you work like other men do? How the hell can I work when the sky is blue?