HALLELUIA I’M A BUM – LISTEN ON YouTube

Harry Kirby McClintock [also known as Haywire Mac] was an American singer, songwriter and railroader. Born in Knoxville Tennessee, he would run away from home and would drift around the world throughout his life. He would work railroads in Africa and supply aid to American troops during the American-Philippine war and journalists covering the Boxer Rebellion in China.
McClintock would also work on countless railroads in the United States, where he would learn many songs and stories from folks such as Wallace Saunders and Joe Hill. He would also participate in the Tucker Utah Strike and join the IWW.
He is mostly known for his song “The Big Rock Candy Mountain” which would reach #1 in Billboard’s “Hillbilly Hits.”

[C] Rejoice and be glad, for the [F] springtime has come
We can [C] throw down our shovels and [G] go on the bum.
[CHORUS] – – – – [C] Hallelujah, I’m a [F] bum.  
[C] Hallelujah, bum [G] again.  [C] Hallelujah,
give us a [F] handout, to [G] revive us [C] again.
–

[C] The springtime has come and I’m [F] just out of jail
With-[C] -out any money, with-[G]-out any bail.
[CHORUS]
[C] I like my boss, he’s a [F] good friend of mine.
[C] That’s why I’m standing here [G] in the bread line.
[CHORUS]
I [C] went to a house and I [F] rapped on the door
A [C] lady comes out, says, “You’ve [G] been here before.”
[CHORUS]
I [C] went to a house and I [F] asked for some bread
And the [C] lady says, “bum, bum, [G] the baker is dead”

[CHORUS] – – – – [C] Hallelujah, I’m a [F] bum.  
[C] Hallelujah, bum [G] again.  [C] Hallelujah,
give us a [F] handout, to [G] revive us [C] again.

[C] Why don’t you work like [F] other men do?
Now, [C] how can I work when there’s [G] no work to do?
[CHORUS]
Why [C] don’t you save all the [F] money you earn?
If [C] I didn’t eat, I’d have [G] money to burn
[CHORUS]

I [C] don’t like work and [F] work don’t like me
And [C] that is the reason I [G] am so hungry
[CHORUS]

I [C] woke up one morning, [F] feeling just fine
[C] Got me a ride on the [G] Santa Fe line.
[CHORUS]
Why [C] don’t you settle down and [F] get you a wife?
I’d [C] rather be a bum for the [G] rest of my life.

[CHORUS] – – – – [C] Hallelujah, I’m a [F] bum.  
[C] Hallelujah, bum [G] again.  [C] Hallelujah,
give us a [F] handout, to [G] revive us [C] again.
You’ll [C] never get rich by just [F] bummin’ around.
You’ll [C] never get happy by [G] workin’, I’ve found.
[CHORUS]
If [C] I had a dollar, I’d [F] do as I please,
I’d [C] get me some powder for roaches and fleas.
[CHORUS]
I’d [C] get me a box car and [F] fill it with cats,
And [C] never be bothered by toe-nibblin’ rats.
[CHORUS]
Now [C] I went to college, but it [F] didn’t work out
The [C] things that I like they don’t teach you about.

[CHORUS] – – – – [C] Hallelujah, I’m a [F] bum.  
[C] Hallelujah, bum [G] again.  [C] Hallelujah,
give us a [F] handout, to [G] revive us [C] again.

Now [C] why don’t you work like some [F] other men do?
I’d [C] rather just sing, if it’s [G] all right with you.
[CHORUS]
If [C] I had my way, I’d just [F] travel about,
And [C] sing for my supper when [G] I’m down and out.
[CHORUS]
You [C] might get to heaven, but [F] don’t hold your breath,
We’ve [C] all heard you sing, and you [G] may starve to death.
[CHORUS]

[CHORUS] – – – – [C] Hallelujah, I’m a [F] bum.  
[C] Hallelujah, bum [G] again.  [C] Hallelujah,
give us a [F] handout, to [G] revive us [C] again.

– SLOWING AT THE END

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