Riding east-bound freight train, stealing through the night He was just a lonesome hobo who was fighting for his life The sadness in his eyes revealed the torture of his soul As he raised a weak and weary hand to brush away the cold Outside the rain is falling on that lonely boxcar door, But the little frame of Hobo Bill lay still upon the floor As the train sped through the darkness and the raging storm outside No one knew that Hobo Bill was taking his last ride He was a lonesome hobo No warm lights flickered 'round him no blankets were there to fold
There was nothing but the howling wind and the driving rain so cold As he heard a whistle blowing in a dreamy kind of way The hobo seemed contented for he smiled there where he lay It was early in the morning when they raised the hobo's head The smile still lingered on his face, though Hobo Bill was dead There was no one there to weep for him or soothe his weary soul For he was just a hobo who had died out in the cold He was a lonesome hobo