I first heard the Woody Guthrie song "Hobo's Lullaby" when the Kingston Trio covered it in the 1960s. I loved it, and when I began to play guitar at 12, it was on my list of songs to learn. I was drawn to the songs about injustice even at that age. I lived a life of plenty, and when it dawned on me that not everyone was so fortunate, my outrage was front and center. As we move through this pandemic, my outrage continues as I see the lack of access to good medical care, and the number of newly unemployed who have lost their health insurance. I fear we are headed into a very dark time, not seen since the Great Depression.
In addition to being a protest song, this song speaks to me of tenderness and kindness toward those most in peril during these hard times.
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My Aunty Lou
I'm going back in time, once again, to visit my great great aunt, Lou Goodale Bigelow. I knew "Aunty Lou," and would visit ...
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I have a dear friend who I met in my Creative Writing class my freshman year in college. I sent the poem to her for her comments and edits ...
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I took a vacation in the first week of May. I went back to my high school and college stomping grounds, still populated by many friends of...
I've never heard this song before. It is so perfect for these wearying times. We were inspired to listen to Joan Baez do this song. Listening right now!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a favorite of mine for a very very long time. Glad that you know it now!
DeleteA favourite from way back. Emmylou Harris does a particularly lovely version of it - if I were a weary hobo that's who I'd have chosen to sing me to sleep anyway!
ReplyDeleteYes, John, she does!
DeleteI absolutely love Woody Guthrie.
ReplyDeleteYou're in good company, Sharon.
DeleteOld times, maybe not better times for many - but more simple I think.
ReplyDeleteSeems as if all times have their good and bad. I don't yearn for the 'old times' necessarily -- without modern medicine I would have died long long ago!
DeleteYou are a good soul.
ReplyDeleteThank you, friend.
DeleteMy first visit. I was drawn to your heading photo with camels. I love camels. I also enjoy your selection of music. Woody Guthrie is a favorite as well as boogie music. During my monthly drive between Atlanta and Nashville I like to listen to boogie music – always puts me in a good mood, although now I can’t leave the house. But I still listen to music all day long.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by! I, too, am a fan of boogie. My musical tastes are varied and wide.
DeleteWhile I have heard this song performed by others, I will confess to not hearing Woody Guthrie's version before this post. Thanks Tara for sharing and it is indeed an appropriate tune for these times.
ReplyDeleteYes, many have done it proud. It's a universal theme, I think.
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