Boxcar Bertha - My Guitar, My Big Tits, And Me

 We here at Big And Tall Records welcome a new artist found by an associate on the road. Her name? Boxcar Bertha, an obvious takeoff on the well known country/western hobo singer Boxcar Willie.  Yes, she was a woman that rode the rails for thirty years. There's not many hoboes, (or rail riders as some prefer to be called) left. At one time, there were many who took to riding the rails not for the thrill of it all, but to get to where they could possibly find work.  Historians have written that the phenomenon started after the Civil War, when men took to the road to find work, or other reasons. Some indeed wanted adventure, some were used to going places far from their home during the war. and after any major conflict, some veterans have a difficult time readjusting to civilian life. 

There are many more barricades for rail riders these days, with electronic surveillance being a great deterrent. It is and always has been illegal, which no doubt attracted some anti-authoritarian types. But it has also been a quite dangerous activity. Many injuries caused by accidents as well as railroad security beatings in the older days, with death always being a possibility. 

Boxcar Bertha took to the rails from college where she was studying to be a horticulturist, with minors in Spanish, French, and German. She studied music for a while in her youth, and started with the piano. Her teacher recognized her talent, and had it in mind to make her into a concert pianist, but she was more attracted to folk music and the guitar. She was expected to keep up her musical studies in college, but abruptly changed to botany and languages, to her piano teacher's disappointment. About three quarters of the way through college, she again abruptly changed her mind, quite school, and took to the rails! 

She recently came to the conclusion that her rail days are about over. She's only in her early 60's, but thirty years of that life has worn her down, arthritis mainly in her knees and hips. Her fingers have a milder case of it so she can still play the guitar. By the title of her song, she knows how to draw attention to herself, and she's begun busking on street corners and making enough money from that so she can afford a small efficiency apartment. so we hope she can make some money with her recordings as well. No doubt she's got a lot of tales to tell after thirty years of bumming the rails! 

Ever since I was a real little girl 

Was afflicted with the wanderlust 

So when I finished school, I hopped a train 

My Momma she sure threw a big fuss! 

 

She said ‘Hobo life ain’t for little girls 

All kinds of bad things bad men out there

 You can’t make a livin’ ridin’ the rails 

How in the world are you gonna fare? 

 

I’ve seen a lot of this big country 

Wanted to keep myself untamed and free 

Never had much use for most possessions 

Just had my guitar, my big tits, and me! 

 

Gave Momma a kiss, told her not to fret 

I know there’s other things you may wish 

Gotta get this wanderlust out of me

 Or I’ll think there’s too much I’d have missed 

 

 Told her it was just for a few short years 

Then I’d be back and I’d settle down 

I found out I like the nomad life

 I wear the hobo life like it’s a crown 

 

 I’ve seen a lot of this big country 

Wanted to keep myself untamed and free 

Never had much use for most possessions 

Just had my guitar, my big tits, and me! 

 

 All that was over thirty years ago 

My Momma came back each year to see 

Never did shake the ol’ wanderlust 

But ridin’ rails ain’t what it used to be 

 

Always had to be a little careful 

Specially because of being a woman 

Learned real fast to take care of myself 

And how to equalize with any man!

 

 I’ve seen a lot of this big country 

Wanted to keep myself untamed and free 

Never had much use for most possessions 

Just had my guitar, my big tits, and me! 

 

 Momma passed away a few years back 

Haven’t been back to where I was born 

Nothin’ left for me back in my hometown 

But it doesn’t make me forlorn 

 

My home is wherever I bed for the night 

Have a bite, and strum my ol’ guitar 

Now that I’m older, find I’m cripplin’ up 

Don’t go nearly so long or so far 

 

I’ve seen a lot of this big country 

Wanted to keep myself untamed and free 

Never had much use for most possessions 

Just had my guitar, my big tits, and me! 

 

Earn some money playin’ my git fiddle 

Sometimes gotta walk with a crutch 

Took many spills off the end of a train 

But thank God I get by with out much! 

 

So the time is comin’, and it’s real soon 

When I can’t go and roam any more 

Believe it or not, I got a nest egg 

I can pay little bit for room and board 

 

 I’ve seen a lot of this big country 

Got memories to help carry me! 

Sit and chew the fat, sing a song, yes sir, 

My ol’ guitar, my big tits, and me!