Hallelujah! I'm A Bum
Al Jolson · Other Songs - Al Jolson
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!"
Hallelujah! I'm A Bum
Al Jolson's 1927 recording of 'Hallelujah! I'm A Bum' stands as a defining example of the Great American Songbook era. Performed with his signature vibrato and theatrical flair, the track showcases Jolson's mastery of the jazz-age vocal style, blending bluesy inflections with the polished delivery that made him a global star. The song, written by Irving Berlin, captures the humorous yet poignant sentiment of a man who has lost his way, a theme Jolson articulated with infectious charm. Released during the height of his career, the recording exemplifies the transition from vaudeville to recorded music, cementing Jolson's reputation as the King of Jazz. It remains a staple in collections of early 20th-century American popular music, illustrating the era's unique fusion of gospel, blues, and theatrical performance.