Drifter
by Robert W. Service
God gave you guts: don't let Him down;
Brace up, be worthy of His giving.
The road's a rut, the sky's a frown;
I know you're plumb fed up with living.
Fate birches you, and wry the rod . . .
Snap out, you fool! Don't let down God.
Oh, yes, you're on misfortune's shift,
And weary is the row your hoeing;
You have no home, you drift and drift,
Seems folks don't care the way you're going . . .
Well, make them care - you're not afraid:
Step on the gas - you'll make the grade.
Believe that God has faith in you,
In you His loving light is shining;
All of you that is fine and true
Is part of Him, so quit your whining . . .
buck up, son, for your Maker's sake:
Don't let Him down - give God a break.
Hobo National Convention, Brit Iowa-
One of the most solemn parts of this yearly event is the memorial service held to commemorate those who have passed on. This year the ashes of "Hobo Joe" who passed on last year were brought back to britt. In a touching ceremony a railroad spike with the point directed west to symbolize catching the westbound was laid below a urn of Joe's ashes. With a piece of burlap draped across their shoulders, which shows humility, the hoboes slowly circled the monuments and with the end of their walking staff touched each marker, again uniting them with their lost friends.
Above- "SteamTrain Maurey" Graham pay's his respects to fallen comrades. This year "Hobo Joe" (left) who caught the westbound last year was brought back to Britt and laid to rest along other hobos in this area of the Britt cemetery.
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