The Dying Hobo- Gilbert (AR) 1971 Max Hunter
[From the Max Hunter Collection. This is one of "Dying Hobo" versions which have the The Dying Hobo first verse and were recorded:
1) The Dying Hobo- Kelly Harrell (VA) 1926
2) One Cold December Day- Dick Justice (WV) 1929
It seems likely that Justice's version is a cover of Harrell's Victor recording. Subsequently this version was collected and is found in Robert's In the Pine book, mentioned by Davis (MTBV) and was collected in Arkansas by Max Hunter (see text below).
R. Matteson 2012]
Dying Hobo- As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on July 27, 1971 (Text edited R. Matteson 2012)
Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=1163
VERSE 1
Away out west on a water tank
One cold December day
And in the empty car box
A dying hobo laid
VERSE 2
See that girl in yonders grove
She dressed in silk, so fine
But when she heard poor George was dead
She laid her silk aside
VERSE 3
She follered him up, she follered him down
She follered him to his grave
An' there she knelt down on her knees
She wept, she mourned, she prayed
VERSE 4
O daughter, O daughter, what makes you weep
There's more men than George
O Mother, O Mother, he holds of my heart
But now he's dead an' gone
VERSE 5
See that dove in yonders grove
It's flyin' from vine to vine
It's mourning for its own true love
Just like I mourn for mine
VERSE 6
O, open back the coffin lid
Lay back the linens so fine
An' let me kiss his cold sweet lips
For I'm sure he'll never kiss mine