I love this song so much. When I was a kid growing up on Long Island I wanted to be a hobo. I wanted to ride the rails and be free. Woody Guthrie was an inspiration when I hit my teens. Mary Gauthier takes you there. Thank you, Mary!
Actually I like this current Dylan the one singing incmorhensibly but enjoying it...not cuz people were being jerks and so was he....that's over...I sincerely dig the old mumbly Dylan the best lol
What spell binding musicality....lyrics to treasure and a foot tapping melody with an as talented violinist.....Gauthier does it so effortlessly, makes you want to experience her magic again and again
Rode the rods once back in 67, thought the train stopped in the next town, it didn't and I ended up 80 miles from home and so sore from those old brake rods that i thought I would never walk upright again!
Most of the people in this song are real people, for the most part, and are people I have met over the years at the National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa. Baloney Kid is a Vietnam veteran, and lives in Sandwich, Illinois. We affectionately call him "Bumsteak." Dead-eye Kate is a professional photographer from New York City. She was in Manhattan on 9/11 on a photo shoot, and the dust from the collapsing Twin Towers ruined her Hasselblad as she shot as many pictures as she could get before being engulfed in the smoke and dust. Wanda Graham was Steam Train's wife. She told me they had an argument one time and Steam Train stormed out and caught a train. He called her, broke, a couple of weeks later, collect. She was still mad at him and refused the call. He didn't call back for five years. She may have changed some of the names a little. Rusty *Rails* was the disabled son of a tramp. Sweet Sugar Cane sounds genuine, but I never met a girl or a woman by that moniker. Steam Train is buried in Napolean, Ohio. Wanda is buried next to him.
I first heard of Mary G years ago on NPR and have been a fan every since. This song (The Last of the Hobo Kings) makes more sense to google about the annual national Hope Convention in Britt, Iowa and how they do crown a king by popular vote. She did a great explanation at her concert.
Mary Gauthier - Last of the Hobo Kings: she's a fascinating vocalist with outstanding realistic lyrics that anyone would be able to relate to. This is by happenstance that I was exploring music and out of curiousity I randomly selected your music video 'MusicCityRoots' which is recorded splendidly! Thanks so much for sharing! :) Trinkett
playing this for a favorite aunt of mine, through my phone to her....since she hasn't quite figured out the wifi and iphone of hers yet......sharing a moment :)
Mary - we so enjoyed your show in BR.......I didn't get to talk to you as you were mobbed by autograph/CD buyers(the latter hopefully more so...)....Stephen did get a CD at least...you have always struck me as being special.....intelligent, driven, & talented. I am so glad Stephen brought you here...he always brags (just to me & Donna) that you were his first ever roomate..he couln't have picked a better choice as a friend.......much love to you...your 2nd mother......Helen
Damn girls............ that was great. I am searching for adjectives to use. None seem expressive enough. I would love to see yal live, here in Louisville. Damn that was moving. Hell yes. Tania nailed it.Thanks.
Made me think of Jim Stobe and his terrific videos riding the rails. One night Jim was waiting for a train and thought he was standing on a different set of tracks when the high-speed Amtrak hit him. I loved his videos and the way he played the piano. R.I.P. Jim!
at it's best the singer songwriter genre is literature - Eric Taylor, Townes. Nanci, and the list goes on forwever, Guy Clark and Verlin Thompson, Bruce Cockburn, Richard Shindell, Greg Klyma, Roy John Wheelock, Celia Shacklett, Elina Graypel, Abi Robbins,
Steam Train Maury died last night His wife Wanda was by his side He caught the Westbound out of here Hopped the high irons to the by and by They say he jumped a thousand trains Rode a million miles for free Helped out at VA hospitals and penitentiaries Dandy Dave, Rusty Nails and Sweet Lady Sugar Cane Dead Eye Kate and the Baloney Kid raise their cups tonight in Steam Train's name Senators and congressmen, puppets on a string Among the windswept vagabonds, Steam Train was the king He was the last of the hobo kings, he was the last of the hobo kings Now bums just drink and wander round Tramps dream and wander too But a hobo was a pioneer who preferred to work for food He knew how his nation was doing By the length of a sidewalk cigarette butt Born with an aching wanderlust Embedded in his gut Hounded, beaten, laughed at, broke Chased out of every town With his walking stick scepter And a shredded coffee can crown The last of the hobo king, he was the last of the hobo kings The last free men are hoboes Steinbeck said, and he paid them cash And the stories that he bought from them Helped write the Grapes of Wrath But boxcars have been sealed for years And trespassers, they do time And the railroad yards are razor wired And hoboing's a crime So here's to you Steam Train Maury Hold that Westbound tight As you ride off into history The last hobo, the last ride The last of the hobo king, He was the last of the hobo kings.
I love this song so much. When I was a kid growing up on Long Island I wanted to be a hobo. I wanted to ride the rails and be free. Woody Guthrie was an inspiration when I hit my teens. Mary Gauthier takes you there. Thank you, Mary!
There's a reason Dylan has Mary on his play list. He recognizes greatness.
dylan dylan dylan yawn lol
@@julesotis13Back Street Boys 😂
@@terrymckenzie8786 Dylan created them
Actually I like this current Dylan the one singing incmorhensibly but enjoying it...not cuz people were being jerks and so was he....that's over...I sincerely dig the old mumbly Dylan the best lol
An abolute masterpiece, this song
So beautiful. Stunningly beautiful. Loved this so much. Thank you.
What spell binding musicality....lyrics to treasure and a foot tapping melody with an as talented violinist.....Gauthier does it so effortlessly, makes you want to experience her magic again and again
Rode the rods once back in 67, thought the train stopped in the next town, it didn't and I ended up 80 miles from home and so sore from those old brake rods that i thought I would never walk upright again!
A lovely story about a character the likes of which we won't see again.
What a great songwriter -- and performer!
Most of the people in this song are real people, for the most part, and are people I have met over the years at the National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa. Baloney Kid is a Vietnam veteran, and lives in Sandwich, Illinois. We affectionately call him "Bumsteak." Dead-eye Kate is a professional photographer from New York City. She was in Manhattan on 9/11 on a photo shoot, and the dust from the collapsing Twin Towers ruined her Hasselblad as she shot as many pictures as she could get before being engulfed in the smoke and dust. Wanda Graham was Steam Train's wife. She told me they had an argument one time and Steam Train stormed out and caught a train. He called her, broke, a couple of weeks later, collect. She was still mad at him and refused the call. He didn't call back for five years.
She may have changed some of the names a little. Rusty *Rails* was the disabled son of a tramp. Sweet Sugar Cane sounds genuine, but I never met a girl or a woman by that moniker.
Steam Train is buried in Napolean, Ohio. Wanda is buried next to him.
Thank you for this comment :)
I first heard of Mary G years ago on NPR and have been a fan every since. This song (The Last of the Hobo Kings) makes more sense to google about the annual national Hope Convention in Britt, Iowa and how they do crown a king by popular vote. She did a great explanation at her concert.
I am frigging stunned. Chills went down my back hearing this.
Brilliant ! Saw Mary perform this song at WoodyFest in Okemah, Oklahoma in July, 2023. Great songwriter & performer !
First I heard of her was this evening, driving along, listening to Bob Harris Country. He played 'I drink'. What a cracking talent.
Mary Gauthier - Last of the Hobo Kings: she's a fascinating vocalist with outstanding realistic lyrics that anyone would be able to relate to. This is by happenstance that I was exploring music and out of curiousity I randomly selected your music video 'MusicCityRoots' which is recorded splendidly! Thanks so much for sharing! :) Trinkett
playing this for a favorite aunt of mine, through my phone to her....since she hasn't quite figured out the wifi and iphone of hers yet......sharing a moment :)
Very moving. A beautifu song beautifully performed. Thankyou. Best wishes, Tony (New Zealand)
One of the best live performances iI ever saw
Mary - we so enjoyed your show in BR.......I didn't get to talk to you as you were mobbed by autograph/CD buyers(the latter hopefully more so...)....Stephen did get a CD at least...you have always struck me as being special.....intelligent, driven, & talented. I am so glad Stephen brought you here...he always brags (just to me & Donna) that you were his first ever roomate..he couln't have picked a better choice as a friend.......much love to you...your 2nd mother......Helen
Damn girls............ that was great. I am searching for adjectives to use. None seem expressive enough. I would love to see yal live, here in Louisville. Damn that was moving. Hell yes. Tania nailed it.Thanks.
Just wonderful, happy to stumble upon such a gem :D
a damn good one 4 shure - i love steinbecks book and so the the track means even more to me.
Amazing..incredible lyric and awesome music and melody base
Absolutely beautiful...
such a good song thanks Mary
female John prine love her words into music
paco and lefty have company
Love it Mary! See you in VT soon. Come to Northampton please!
Made me think of Jim Stobe and his terrific videos riding the rails. One night Jim was waiting for a train and thought he was standing on a different set of tracks when the high-speed Amtrak hit him. I loved his videos and the way he played the piano. R.I.P. Jim!
I love this song. The last of the hobo king❤️😂. My friends and I listen to it when ever we want to get happy after s rubbish day😂
Simplicity at it's beautiful best.
Lotta music comin' outa them two
at it's best the singer songwriter genre is literature - Eric Taylor, Townes. Nanci, and the list goes on forwever, Guy Clark and Verlin Thompson, Bruce Cockburn, Richard Shindell, Greg Klyma, Roy John Wheelock, Celia Shacklett, Elina Graypel, Abi Robbins,
Oh, yes, Tania... make that fiddle cry!!
Wonderful !!
Love it!!!!
Perfect , love
Was Santa for us all at local 886 friend of the family and a union brother. I got pics and my kids got pics with the man .
seen her on bluegrass underground PBS. She is a great singer/songwriter#
Amen to Mary!
Just sorry I never ran across her work before.
I love it. Who is the violinist? She is wonderful.
+Mark Chiriboga Tania Elizabeth xx regards from the U.K.
Thanks for that, YT deleted all my (our?) playlists last year, so lost so much music & info.
Nice
He knew how his nation’s doing
By the length of a side walk cigarette butt ,
So true !
Somehow I found this song after watching "Into the Wild," and it fit perfectly.
Nice violin!
Steam Train Maury died last night
His wife Wanda was by his side
He caught the Westbound out of here
Hopped the high irons to the by and by
They say he jumped a thousand trains
Rode a million miles for free
Helped out at VA hospitals and penitentiaries
Dandy Dave, Rusty Nails and Sweet Lady Sugar Cane
Dead Eye Kate and the Baloney Kid raise their cups tonight in Steam Train's name
Senators and congressmen, puppets on a string
Among the windswept vagabonds, Steam Train was the king
He was the last of the hobo kings, he was the last of the hobo kings
Now bums just drink and wander round
Tramps dream and wander too
But a hobo was a pioneer who preferred to work for food
He knew how his nation was doing
By the length of a sidewalk cigarette butt
Born with an aching wanderlust
Embedded in his gut
Hounded, beaten, laughed at, broke
Chased out of every town
With his walking stick scepter
And a shredded coffee can crown
The last of the hobo king, he was the last of the hobo kings
The last free men are hoboes
Steinbeck said, and he paid them cash
And the stories that he bought from them
Helped write the Grapes of Wrath
But boxcars have been sealed for years
And trespassers, they do time
And the railroad yards are razor wired
And hoboing's a crime
So here's to you Steam Train Maury
Hold that Westbound tight
As you ride off into history
The last hobo, the last ride
The last of the hobo king,
He was the last of the hobo kings.
Raise a glass to Mary Gauthier and Steam Train Maury. God bless you both, but then by the sound of things, he (or she) has already.
Dylan got me here.
Sho' did,
sho' do.
Kinda Kerouac too.
It's easy to see why Bob Dylan loves her!
Absolutely! Takes one to know one...
Can someone tell me the name of the fine fiddle player please?
Tania Elizbeth
O2AFAC67 Thank you, I'll check out more of her lovely playing.
You are quite welcome. I enjoy her playing as well. VERY talented indeed... :-)
Yea a ftra
somehow... I hear a Leonard Cohen influence?
Cohen, Cash and a lot of Gauthier! Love it
Makes me wea
U Utah Philips!!
th-cam.com/video/ILwmNtRoZww/w-d-xo.html