BUM

This is an old song Roud 7992 from the 1890’s. Carl Sandburg included it in his anthology “The American Songbook”

Lyrics:
 
[G] Rejoice and be glad, for the [Em] springtime has come
[G] We can throw down our shovels and [D] go on the bum

[G] Hallelujah, I’m a bum
Hallelujah, [D] bum again
[G] Hallelujah, give us [C] a handout
[D] To revive us [G] again

The springtime has come and I’m just out of jail
Without any money, without any bail

Hallelujah, I’m a bum
Hallelujah, bum again
Hallelujah, give us a handout
To revive us again

I went to a house and I rapped on the door
And the lady says, “bum, bum, you’ve been here before”

Hallelujah, I’m a bum
Hallelujah, bum again
Hallelujah, give us a handout
To revive us again

I went to a house and I asked for some bread
And the lady says, “bum, bum, the baker is dead”

Hallelujah, I’m a bum
Hallelujah, bum again
Hallelujah, give us a handout
To revive us again

Why don’t you work like other men do
Now, how can I work when there’s no work to do?

Hallelujah, I’m a bum
Hallelujah, bum again
Hallelujah, give us a handout
To revive us again

Why don’t you save all the money you earn?
If I didn’t eat, I’d have money to burn

Hallelujah, I’m a bum
Hallelujah, bum again
Hallelujah, give us a handout
To revive us again