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Version 1[VERSE 1] C G C Ho-o-bo-o Billy. F C F C Riding on the eastbound freight train, speeding through the night, F C D7 G Hobo Bill, a railroad bum, was fighting for his life. F C F C The sadness of his eyes revealed the torture of his soul. F C G C He raised a weak and weary hand to brush away the coal. [VERSE 2] C G C Ho-o-bo-o Billy. F C F C No warm lights flickered around him, no blankets there to fold, F C D7 G Nothing but the howling wind and the driving rain so cold. F C F C When he heard a whistle blowing in a dreamy kind of way, F C G C The hobo seemed contented, for he smiled there where he lay. [VERSE 3] C G C Ho-o-bo-o Bill. F C F C Outside the rain was falling on that lonely boxcar door, F C D7 G But the little form of Hobo Bill lay still upon the floor. F C F C While the train sped through the darkness and the raging storm outside, F C G C No one knew that Hobo Bill was taking his last ride. [WHISTLE SOUNDS] C G C [VERSE 4] C F C F C It was early in the morning when they raised the hobo’s head. F C D7 G The smile still lingered on his face but Hobo Bill was dead. F C F C There was no mother’s longing to soothe his weary soul, F C G C For he was just a railroad bum who died out in the cold. [WHISTLE SOUNDS] C