“The Gila Monster Route”

Description

A hobo is left behind by the train. The poem recalls his history: He and his pal, given a handout, used it for wine rather than food, got drunk, and were arrested. Set free, the hobo wanders until he catches another train

Notes

This is not even a song (let alone a traditional song); it is a poem published in _Railroad Man's Magazine_. I cannot for the life of me tell why the Lomaxes reprinted it; apart from a liberal use of railroad slang, it has very little to commend it. - RBW

References

  1. Lomax-ABFS, pp. 24-26, "The Gila Monster Route" (1 text)
  2. Roud #9924
  3. BI, LxA024

About

Author: L. F. Post and Glenn Norton
Earliest date: 1934
Keywords: hobo travel prison drink