Here's a tale of Tom
Who worked the railroads long
His wife would cook his meal
As he would change the wheel

Poor Tom, seventh son,
Always knew what's goin' on
Ain't a thing that you can hide from Tom
There ain't nothing that you can hide from Tom

Worked for thirty years
Sharing hopes and fears
Dreamin' of the day
He could turn and say

Poor Tom, work's done,
Been lazin' out in the noonday sun

Ain't a thing that you can hide from Tom
Ain't a thing that you can hide from Tom

His wife was Annie Mae
With any man a game she'd play
When Tom was out of town
She couldn't keep her dress down

Poor Tom, seventh son,
Always knew what's goin' on

Ain't a thing that you can hide from Tom
Ain't a thing that you can hide from Tom

And so it was one day
People got to Annie Mae
Tom stood, a gun in his hand
And stopped her runnin' around

Poor Tom, seventh son,
Gotta die for what you've done

All those years of work are thrown away
To ease your mind is that all you can say?

But what about that grandson on your knee?
Them railroad songs, Tom would sing to me

(Ain't nothing that you can hide from Tom)
Hey
(Keep-a truckin')


Lyrics submitted by kevin, edited by smallwonderrobot

Poor Tom Lyrics as written by Robert Plant Jimmy Page

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Poor Tom song meanings
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18 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    being the seventh son would mean that Tom would have little or no inheritance, but in many cultures being the seventh son gave you somewhat mystical powers to compensate for being poor. here the 7th son has the power to know everything, and thus knows that his wife is whoring herself out when he is gone, and ends up killing her for it. so in a way, a misfortune gives way to a blessing which gives way to a curse.

    ramtharon July 24, 2002   Link

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