Papa Hobo Lyrics

Lyric discussion by jcovarru 

Cover art for Papa Hobo lyrics by Paul Simon

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.

My Interpretation