Actually a bit creepy. He wanders through many towns (all of them) and becomes familiar with every child (enough to know all of their names). It takes a very special effort and focus to know every child in every town that he is just passing through. Maybe things were different back then, but today if a stranger was seen working at getting familiar with all the children, there would be alarm bells going off.
Also, I assumed that the locks were to homes (most businesses are very careful about locking up to protect their assets). Again,it takes a special effort to know every home where the folks are trusting enough to always leave the house unlocked every when not there. And it is assumed that he must go in those houses and explore.
The lyrics don't say he knows the names of children in the towns, only the names of the engineers' children. Part of the engineer's job is to throw the hobos off the train, or at least the hobos causing problems. But this hobo isn't causing problems, so the engineers don't throw him off. Instead, they actually like him, have friendly conversations and share details about their lives.
The lyrics don't say he knows the names of children in the towns, only the names of the engineers' children. Part of the engineer's job is to throw the hobos off the train, or at least the hobos causing problems. But this hobo isn't causing problems, so the engineers don't throw him off. Instead, they actually like him, have friendly conversations and share details about their lives.
About those locks: Those are probably abandoned houses or sheds. He is careful that no one is around so he doesn't cause trouble-- If he were causing trouble, those locks wouldn't remain unlocked....
About those locks: Those are probably abandoned houses or sheds. He is careful that no one is around so he doesn't cause trouble-- If he were causing trouble, those locks wouldn't remain unlocked. If he were damaging the places, those locks would be locked next time. I doubt he is trying the doors on occupied houses or businesses because that would cause trouble.
I think you\'ve misheard the lyric:\r\n\r\nI know every e gineer on every train/all of their children, all of their names...\r\n\r\nSo he knows the engineers well enough to speak to, and they tolerate him, unlike \'Shack\' (Ebnest Borgnine) in "The Emperor of the North"...
I think you\'ve misheard the lyric:\r\n\r\nI know every e gineer on every train/all of their children, all of their names...\r\n\r\nSo he knows the engineers well enough to speak to, and they tolerate him, unlike \'Shack\' (Ebnest Borgnine) in "The Emperor of the North"...
Actually a bit creepy. He wanders through many towns (all of them) and becomes familiar with every child (enough to know all of their names). It takes a very special effort and focus to know every child in every town that he is just passing through. Maybe things were different back then, but today if a stranger was seen working at getting familiar with all the children, there would be alarm bells going off. Also, I assumed that the locks were to homes (most businesses are very careful about locking up to protect their assets). Again,it takes a special effort to know every home where the folks are trusting enough to always leave the house unlocked every when not there. And it is assumed that he must go in those houses and explore.
The lyrics don't say he knows the names of children in the towns, only the names of the engineers' children. Part of the engineer's job is to throw the hobos off the train, or at least the hobos causing problems. But this hobo isn't causing problems, so the engineers don't throw him off. Instead, they actually like him, have friendly conversations and share details about their lives.
The lyrics don't say he knows the names of children in the towns, only the names of the engineers' children. Part of the engineer's job is to throw the hobos off the train, or at least the hobos causing problems. But this hobo isn't causing problems, so the engineers don't throw him off. Instead, they actually like him, have friendly conversations and share details about their lives.
About those locks: Those are probably abandoned houses or sheds. He is careful that no one is around so he doesn't cause trouble-- If he were causing trouble, those locks wouldn't remain unlocked....
About those locks: Those are probably abandoned houses or sheds. He is careful that no one is around so he doesn't cause trouble-- If he were causing trouble, those locks wouldn't remain unlocked. If he were damaging the places, those locks would be locked next time. I doubt he is trying the doors on occupied houses or businesses because that would cause trouble.
I think you\'ve misheard the lyric:\r\n\r\nI know every e gineer on every train/all of their children, all of their names...\r\n\r\nSo he knows the engineers well enough to speak to, and they tolerate him, unlike \'Shack\' (Ebnest Borgnine) in "The Emperor of the North"...
I think you\'ve misheard the lyric:\r\n\r\nI know every e gineer on every train/all of their children, all of their names...\r\n\r\nSo he knows the engineers well enough to speak to, and they tolerate him, unlike \'Shack\' (Ebnest Borgnine) in "The Emperor of the North"...