We here at
GR50 Records welcome a new artist found by an associate on the road. Her name?
Boxcar Bertha, an obvious takeoff on the well known country/western hobo singer Boxcar Willie. Yes, she was a woman that rode the rails for thirty years. There's not many hoboes, (or rail riders as some prefer to be called) left. At one time, there were many who took to riding the rails not for the thrill of it all, but to get to where they could possibly find work. Historians have written that the phenomenon started after the Civil War, when men took to the road to find work, or other reasons. Some indeed wanted adventure, some were used to going places far from their home during the war. and after any major conflict, some veterans have a difficult time readjusting to civilian life.
There are many more barricades for rail riders these days, with electronic surveillance being a great deterrent. It is and always has been illegal, which no doubt attracted some anti-authoritarian types. But it has also been a quite dangerous activity. Many injuries caused by accidents as well as railroad security beatings in the older days, with death always being a possibility.
Boxcar Bertha took to the rails from college where she was studying to be a horticulturist, with minors in Spanish, French, and German. She studied music for a while in her youth, and started with the piano. Her teacher recognized her talent, and had it in mind to make her into a concert pianist, but she was more attracted to folk music and the guitar. She was expected to keep up her musical studies in college, but abruptly changed to botany and languages, to her piano teacher's disappointment. About three quarters of the way through college, she again abruptly changed her mind, quite school, and took to the rails!
She recently came to the conclusion that her rail days are about over. She's only in her early 60's, but thirty years of that life has worn her down, arthritis mainly in her knees and hips. Her fingers have a milder case of it so she can still play the guitar. By the title of her song, she knows how to draw attention to herself, and she's begun busking on street corners and making enough money from that so she can afford a small efficiency apartment. so we hope she can make some money with her recordings as well. No doubt she's got a lot of tales to tell after thirty years of bumming the rails!
Ever since I was a real little girl
Was afflicted with the wanderlust
So when I finished school, I hopped a train
My Momma she sure threw a big fuss!
She said ‘Hobo life ain’t for little girls
All kinds of bad things bad men out there
You can’t make a livin’ ridin’ the rails
How in the world are you gonna fare?
I’ve seen a lot of this big country
Wanted to keep myself untamed and free
Never had much use for most possessions
Just had my guitar, my big tits, and me!
Gave Momma a kiss, told her not to fret
I know there’s other things you may wish
Gotta get this wanderlust out of me
Or I’ll think there’s too much I’d have missed
Told her it was just for a few short years
Then I’d be back and I’d settle down
I found out I like the nomad life
I wear the hobo life like it’s a crown
I’ve seen a lot of this big country
Wanted to keep myself untamed and free
Never had much use for most possessions
Just had my guitar, my big tits, and me!
All that was over thirty years ago
My Momma came back each year to see
Never did shake the ol’ wanderlust
But ridin’ rails ain’t what it used to be
Always had to be a little careful
Specially because of being a woman
Learned real fast to take care of myself
And how to equalize with any man!
I’ve seen a lot of this big country
Wanted to keep myself untamed and free
Never had much use for most possessions
Just had my guitar, my big tits, and me!
Momma passed away a few years back
Haven’t been back to where I was born
Nothin’ left for me back in my hometown
But it doesn’t make me forlorn
My home is wherever I bed for the night
Have a bite, and strum my ol’ guitar
Now that I’m older, find I’m cripplin’ up
Don’t go nearly so long or so far
I’ve seen a lot of this big country
Wanted to keep myself untamed and free
Never had much use for most possessions
Just had my guitar, my big tits, and me!
Earn some money playin’ my git fiddle
Sometimes gotta walk with a crutch
Took many spills off the end of a train
But thank God I get by with out much!
So the time is comin’, and it’s real soon
When I can’t go and roam any more
Believe it or not, I got a nest egg
I can pay little bit for room and board
I’ve seen a lot of this big country
Got memories to help carry me!
Sit and chew the fat, sing a song, yes sir,
My ol’ guitar, my big tits, and me!
