Utah Phillips
Hallelujah, I’m a Bum
[Verse 1]
Well, why don't ya work like other folks do?
How can I get a job when you're holding down two?

[Refrain]
Hallelujah, I'm a bum
Hallelujah, bum again
Hallelujah, give us a handout to revive us again

[Verse 2]
Oh, went to a house and I knocked on the door
The lady said scram bum you've been here before

[Refrain]
Hallelujah, I'm a bum
Hallelujah, bum again
Hallelujah, give us a handout to revive us again

[Verse 3]
Yeah, I went to that house and I asked for some bread
The lady said scram bum the baker is dead

[Refrain]
Hallelujah, I'm a bum
Hallelujah, bum again
Hallelujah, give us a handout to revive us again
[Story Interlude]

[Verse 4]
Oh, I like my boss he's a good friend of mine
That's why I'm starving out on the bread line

[Refrain]
Hallelujah, I'm a bum
Hallelujah, bum again
Hallelujah, give us a handout to revive us again

[Verse 5]
And I like Jim Hill, he's a good friend of mine
Say that's why I'm moving down Jim Hill's mainline

[Refrain]
Hallelujah, I'm a bum
Hallelujah, bum again
Hallelujah, give us a handout to revive us again

[Story Interlude]

[Verse 6]
Oh, I went to a bar and I asked for a drink
He gave a glass and he showed me the sink
[Refrain]
Hallelujah, I'm a bum
Hallelujah, bum again
Hallelujah, give us a handout to revive us again

[Verse 7]
Whenever I get all the money I earn
The boss will be broke and to work he must turn

[Refrain]
Hallelujah, I'm a bum
Hallelujah, bum again
Hallelujah, give us a handout to revive us again

[Verse 8]
And why don't ya save all the money ya earn?
If I didn't eat I'd have money to burn

[Refrain]
Hallelujah, I'm a bum
Hallelujah, bum again
Hallelujah, give us a handout to revive us again