The Mysteries of a Hobo's Life

I took a job on an extra gang, Way up in the mountain,
I paid my fee and the shark shipped me And the ties I soon was counting.

The boss he put me driving spikes And the sweat was enough to blind me,
He didn't seem to like my pace, So I left the job behind me.

II

I grabbed a hold of an old freight train And around the country traveled,
The mysteries of a hobo's life To me were soon unraveled.

I traveled east and I traveled west And the "shacks" could never find me,
Next morning I was miles away From the job I left behind me.

III

I ran across a bunch of "stiffs" Who were known as Industrial Workers,
They taught me how to be a man—And how to fight the shirkers.

I kicked right in and joined the bunch And now in the ranks you'll find me.
Hurrah for the cause-To hell with the boss! And the job I left behind me.