Hobo Bill's Last Ride by Jimmie Rodgers (1929)

This video is presented as an historical reference by Empty Set Group, producers of "Waiting For A Train", the new Jimmie Rodgers musical.

[snakemansnakes]

I was a kid in Liverpool UK and my grandfather rebuilt an old windup gramophone for my 12th. birthday. We had some old acetate 78's which we used to play for laughs. (military marches and some old Hawaiian music.)  One day I was at a loose end and found myself walking down a back alley behind my home. It was the day the local binman was calling to empty bins and some houses had put some stuff out,  just next to their bins. I spotted a 78 record in it's original cardboard cover and I took it home. it was clean and in good condition. I played it on the old windup and it was Jimmie Rodgers  singing Hobo Bill's Last Ride. I was mesmerised and had never heard anything like his mournful singing and yodelling. Some years later on I was in the British Army in Germany. There was an American Airforce outfit at our base and they had a services shop much like the British NAAFI. I was, by then a country music fan and this USAF shop stocked imported country music. I went there regularly to buy stuff. Jim Reeves, Hank Snow, Web Peirce, Hank Thompson, Ferlin Huskey, Hank Locklin, and Marty Robbins. I built up a good collection. I never forgot Jimmie Rodgers though and I was over the moon when I found some new RCA imports at the shop- A whole new remastering of Jimmies output had been reissued onto L.P's and I got the lot!  Still got them all today, though I have JR on CD's now. I still have that old 78 I found too, a treasured item that started me off on a long and happy musical education. Many thanks for posting this song.

[rubywingo]

My daddy used to listen to this music. I sang this very song in the third grade talent show in 1973.😅

[kennaweaver]

My Father used to play and sing this song when I was a kid, 1944. Always loved it. True Country. Since then I've always loved country music. Love the sad songs !!

[Potemkin]

Simply brilliant. Today's so-called 'celebrities' could learn a great deal from such an unpretentious performer

[jamiewalker]

I am 60 years old.I remember my dad playing those old 78s.thank you for making it possible for me to listen to these songs again. Tears in my eyes.Love that Jimmie Rodgers

[cullenparker]

This was the first song Johnny Cash heard on the radio. We miss you Mr. Cash

[Ekkie]

Rodgers was prophetic with this song and others (including "Waiting For a Train - 1928). This precedes the crash of October '29 and the Great Depression of the thirties when the real hardships began.

[scottwallace]

I'm only 59 so I can't say for sure that this was the best song ever written, but it's definitely on my short list.

[cherylfitzgerald]

my dear Daddy​ rest in peace.this was your music. I love you and I cherish these old songs you used to sing.if only I could hear you sing again. I will when we meet in heaven. I love you.

[SouthWest]

I run across a fella few decades ago an ole southern musician. He detested Jimmie Rodgers. I Was stunned, I ask him Why. He said when he was a lil fellar, his mom's milk cow was absconded by Jimmie Rodgers.!! My grandmother loved his music, my father was named after him. Great artist. Died way to young.

[fractalevision]

I'm poor and alone but i listen Jimmie Rodgers ! Happy new year !

[lyonsdenno]

If that song doesn't break your heart or cause a tear to flow you don't have a heart-have heard this all my life and I can still imagine Hobo Bill  on that train.

[torrerodriguez]

jimmie Rodgers is the King of train songs

[jamesmasterson]

This song inspired me to learn to play the guitar in 1962. Always been one of my favorites. Lots of stories I could relate, but not today.

[stonemagic]

back in the 50s my daddy use to strum and sing hobo bill on his gibson..never forgot..

[capehorner]

I will remember this song from when I was a young lad in the Falkland Islands. My adopted Father Ron Clarke got me to go and get this man who had come to Stanley fram tghe farms.He sang this song.I can still hear him singing it

[chiakakelechi]

There can never be any modern music that can compare with these very old classics even though one didn't live in that era. The voice, the calmness, the imagination and the memories are all just incomparable and so sweet. You wish were there then.

[robertparker]

I think I was 8 when I heard this song for the first time, and cried because of the loneliness of it. Ime 70 now and just played it for my wife and grandson, she instantly said that it was the lonliest song ever. But it tells a story and that's what sets country and bluegrass apart. Ray Charles said "I love the stories those cats write."

[Homestead-xb]

This is epic! I learned about this song through a Johnny Cash documentary today. I love Johnny and now this song too! ❤ It feels like I was born after my time. Too late that is. I’m 48 and feel like I was there when this song came out.

[swhite]

My Dad would play an album by him in the 60s when I was a little boy. My mom hated it, but Dad loved it. He was also from Mississippi just like Jimmie ... but from Philadelphia MS where I was born when he sent my mom with family when he was being transferred in the Navy. So I grew fond of Jimmie's music...especially this song