What's the Use of Walking If There's a Freight Train Going Your Way?: Black Hoboes & Their Songs

Garon, Paul & Tomko, Gene

ISBN 10: 0882863061 / ISBN 13: 9780882863061

Published by Charles H. Kerr Publishing Co., Chicago, 2006

2005. viii, 296pp. B&W illustrations. "In this exciting new book, Paul Garon ? celebrated author of The Devil's Son-In-Law: Peetie Wheatstraw and His Songs; Blues and the Poetic Spirit; and with Beth Garon, Woman With Guitar: Memphis Minnie's Blues ? tells the story of African American migratory workers and the songs they sang: at work, in boxcars and hobo jungles, in jail, in country roadhouses and urban nightspots. Focused on the years 1910-1940, Garon's narrative and the powerful lyrics of 100-plus songs relate in detail the Black hobo experience with racism and other injustice as well as with jobs as varied as turpentining, track-laying, circus work, lumber, agriculture and mining. Here, too, are fascinating digressions on Black Wobblies, Southern Tenant Farmers' Union organizers, and the hobohemian counterculture." Softcover in excellent condition with no inscriptions. Seller Inventory # hMusicBlues06

Synopsis:

Another wonderful slice of history, political, cultural, and social history. Better yet, it comes 'illustrated' with a CD, with 25 original recordings. Plus, of course, the work is full of the lyrics, art, and photographs of people, and their times.

"The music and poetry of black workers in motion - hoboing, hitchhiking, timbering, mining, railroading, loving, leaving, fighting back and searcing for a new job, a new life and even a new world are brilliantly recorded and explained in this arresting collection." [David Roediger]

"Paul Garon has produced yet another masterpiece of cultural history. The stories and songs he gathers together in this remarkable book disrupt common notions of what we mean by 'freedom' when it comes to black folk. Hoboes represented a significant segment of the black working class, and their constant movements were both evidence of constraints and acts of freedom. And as he so eloquently demonstrates, the men and women who took to the road and their bards have much to teach us about America's 'bottom rail.'" [Robin D G Kelley]

Bibliographic Details

Title: What's the Use of Walking If There's a ...
Publisher: Charles H. Kerr Publishing Co., Chicago
Publication Date: 2006
Binding: Soft cover
Condition: Near Fine
Edition: First Edition