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Papa Hobo Lyrics
It’s carbon and monoxide
The Ole Detroit perfume
And it hangs on the highways
In the morning
And it lays you down by noon
Oh Papa Hobo
You can see that I’m dressed like a schoolboy
But I feel like a clown
It’s a natural reaction I learned
In this basketball town
Sweep up
I been sweeping up the tips I’ve made
I been living on Gatorade
Planning my getaway
Detroit, Detroit
Got a hell of a hockey team
Got a left-handed way
Of making a man sign up on that
Automotive dream, oh yeah
Oh Papa Papa Hobo
Could you slip me a ride
Well, it’s just after breakfast
I’m in the road
And the weatherman lied
The Ole Detroit perfume
And it hangs on the highways
In the morning
And it lays you down by noon
Oh Papa Hobo
You can see that I’m dressed like a schoolboy
But I feel like a clown
It’s a natural reaction I learned
In this basketball town
I been sweeping up the tips I’ve made
I been living on Gatorade
Planning my getaway
Detroit, Detroit
Got a hell of a hockey team
Got a left-handed way
Of making a man sign up on that
Automotive dream, oh yeah
Oh Papa Papa Hobo
Could you slip me a ride
Well, it’s just after breakfast
I’m in the road
And the weatherman lied
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truly a great song with a rather hidden melody.
amazing song here
"...Got a left-handed way of making a man sign on to that automotive dream." I love the way this line is sung, and I get the automotive/detroit connection, but what does this mean? Left-handed way?
There is the Michigan driving peculiarity called the "Michigan left," but I don't know if it has anything to do with this.
There is the Michigan driving peculiarity called the "Michigan left," but I don't know if it has anything to do with this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_left
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_left
@justinobody22 I think left handed is another way of saying back handed or underhanded (sneaky). Everyone in Detroit seems to end up connected to the auto industry because it pays well, but it\'s a trap because the work can be so unfufilling
@justinobody22 I think left handed is another way of saying back handed or underhanded (sneaky). Everyone in Detroit seems to end up connected to the auto industry because it pays well, but it\'s a trap because the work can be so unfufilling
Left-handed=Left Winged perspective. He's saying that they have a charming non-republican way of making people join the automotive industry. Great tune!
I always thought "left-handed" meant underhanded and sneaky -- somehow it happens before you realize it.
I always thought "left-handed" meant underhanded and sneaky -- somehow it happens before you realize it.
@Kid B Left-handed is not a political term. It means sinister.
@Kid B Left-handed is not a political term. It means sinister.
I don't believe 'left handed way' has any political implications. Left handed would be something that sounds good, but really isn't. Something that sneaks up on you. Similar to a left handed compliment. The word 'left' has negative connotations throughout our language.
left-behind left-over etc.
Ah yes, spoken like a true right-hander.
I love how Paul Simon paints these pictures with just the right amount of detail that you feel like you've lived through something real.
In this song, a hobo (a homeless traveler) is making small talk, mostly about the city he finds himself in (Detroit). He's on the street, embarrassed about how he's underdressed ("feel like a clown"), with vague plans to "get away". In the end he asks for a ride because the weather has gotten bad.