Holy Hobo Handbook
by Baruch Bar Meir, with songs
BK009
Holy Hobo Handbook
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This is the whopper book of songs and commentaries based on work ideas and the angelic way of life-with a heavenly dose of humor and pathos! Songs are printed with melody line and chords. Section headings include Angels Anonymous, The Village of the Idiots, The Alchemist Said, and so on. Besides stories prefacing each group of songs, the editors included photos by Bill DeGroot and others, and drawings by Thomas X. and Lin Larsen. Songs from this collection are available on several recorded albums, including Songs of the Angels and Workstation, featuring upbeat new versions by rock guitarist Jimmi Accardi.
Introduction by E.J. Gold
Baruch Bar Meir arrived as if out of nowhere one evening as we sat around singingfolksongs after dinner. He quietly slipped into a seat at the end of the table and seemed to be at home.
As he joined in the joke-telling and swapped tall tales with the other travelers, it became obvious that his many years on the road had trained him to adapt and to keep company with many types.
He joined the publishing company as an assistant printer and word processor. We soon learned he was a remarkable man of many talents. He was equally at home in the hobojungle or among the very rich.
The many skills he had acquired in his travels included professional cook, chemist, schoolteacher, chimney sweep, social worker, medic, ad writer, freight train rider, salesman, storyteller and liar.
The job he aspired to most was dishwasher in the community kitchen. Baruch’s experiences with his ‘‘spiritualfather’’, the Holy Hobo, are Shrouded in mystery. Striving to follow the Way of the Hobo took Baruch through extreme ups and downs. ‘‘I've lived on the edge oflife,’’ he said, “‘and afew times I'vefallen off.’’ But spending time with Baruch made you realize he had learned somethingfrom the Hobo other than ‘‘sayings’’ — something that permeated his being. He decided to share his experiences with others when he realized time was running shortfor him. He produced the Holy Hobo book with great zest: ‘‘I'vefinallyfound a way to say what I needed to say.”’
He could be theatrical in the role ofthe gypsy carpet seller or dressing himselfup as a grandfather. It wasfunfor him to put on roles and disguises.
Children were drawn to him. He was more relaxed and able to play than most adults. At his desk when he went to work he wouldfind marbles, dolls, originalfingerpaintings and other artifacts left by his little friends.
He always said a hobo must be unattached to the past, must keep finding new ways to work. A month before he died he took up the art of crochet and produceda collection of the most unusual crocheted hats ever made — whimsical and bizarre. ‘‘This is the best thing I’ve gotten into yet.’ he said. ‘‘It helps me to meditate.”’
He was at war with the arbitrary and silly values of conventional life, but at the same time patient and tolerant. He’d beenfrom rags to riches and back many times and developed unattachment and courage. ‘‘How can you get in trouble in this world?’’ he once said. ‘‘I don’tfigure I'm in trouble till the Devil grabs my hand and says ‘Come on’.’”’
Baruch loved folk songs and knew songs in many different languages.
Among the songs in this book are some of the ones he liked most.