"Hallelujah, I'm a Bum Again!" (Al Jolson, 1933)

HALLELUJAH, I'M A BUM AGAIN!

Rockefeller's busy giving dough away;
Chevrolet is busy making cars;
Hobo, you keep busy when they throw away
Slightly used cigars.
Hobo, you've no time to shirk.
You're busy keeping far away from work.

The weather' s getting fine.
The coffee tastes like wine.
You happy hobo, sing,
"Hallelujah, I'm a bum again!"
Why work away for wealth
When you can travel for your health?
It' s spring, you hobo, sing,
"Hallelujah, I'm a bum again!"
Your home is always near;
The moon's your chandelier;
Your ceiling is the sky,
Way up high.
The road is your estate,
The earth your little dinner plate;
It's spring, you hobo, sing,
"Hallelujah, I'm a bum again!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Wiki:

Hallelujah, I'm a Bum is a 1933 American musical comedy film directed by Lewis Milestone in the Depression.

The film stars Al Jolson as Bumper, a popular New York tramp, and both romanticizes and satirizes the hobo lifsetyle that many people were forced into by the economic conditions of the time. It is often noted for its heavy Leftist overtones and freewheeling style. Amongst its supporting cast were Frank Morgan, silent comedian Harry Langdon and Keystone Kop Chester Conklin.

The music for the film was composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Al
• Jolson
• 1933
• Rodgers
• Hart
• Hallelujah
• I'm
• Bum
• Again
• depression
• comedy

[sherwinjtb]

the irony of the word bum being used so many years ago, i believe its still a popular catch phrase O.o

[RReady555]

Our Brit cousins use "bum" to refer to their backsides, rather than hoboes... ;)

-RR

[mrdee11091]

thanks rr the unmisstakeable voice of al johnson i rememember seeing him as a child as a minstel thanks for the post of this aurthentic sound

[RReady555]

A bittersweet song, Paul--Al's own career was a bumpy ride. Good film if it ever shows in Britain!

-RR

[joehancock01]

i 14 im love ths music. let the future generation sdmire this man as much as i do.. 10*

[madamerotten]

Thanks for posting this wonderful recording. Al Jolson lives in our hearts and minds.

[AbarouneDaFishizzle]

@RReady555 i use the word both ways.

[BeedieMobilityHire]

My Father Reg Beedie played Al Jolson songs at home when i was little and i like playing them now ! this song is my best & i know it word for word ! What i heard about this song is that before it was going to released in the uk they had to change title because of the word (bum) so they changed it to "Hallelujah, I'm a Tramp ! " I hope i got this is right ? lovely to see this video !

Thank you for posting the video.

My Father was born 1927 & died 1997 bless him !

[fgldnglbs]

Hey, it's Arlene Ackerman's theme song!

[rogharm]

love this recording. saw the UNITED ARTIST PICTURES on TCM love this!!!!! Rated highest 11+. n one of my all time favorites. great recording no noise great hall ambiance love the arrangement. ROGHARM

[SortaBCity]

My mom told me that my grandpa would use to sing 'Hallelujah, I'm a bum again' and I never knew what it was from until recently... :D

[yovillianify]

it's a person that has no home.. poor living on the streets.. not they way you imply it as

[TEMPmichaelhansen]

everybody imitates the cliche' voice

[TEMPmichaelhansen]

you rule!!!

[djdavemick]

Another of Al's best!

[dfarmbrough]

This is also a great film, with Jolson at his best