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The Bin Hoker​’​s Waltz

from Saint​-​Quentin by BluesReel

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about

A “bin hoker” is someone who rummages in garbage bins for their harvest, in much the same vein as a potato picker in Scotland is known as a “tattie hoker”. The title character is a composite of several people I run into both close to home and working at L’Escalier, which is where the middle of the song takes place. On the intro I play a wooden diatonic double whistle. PH

lyrics

The Bin Hoker's Waltz

Well he's got no alarm clock, but he rises with the lark
Just to pick up the empties, that were left in the park
He's got a pole across his shoulders, like a peddler of old
With a bag at each end, full of treasures untold

He's doing the Bin Hoker's Waltz

There's a place where the kids go, the ones that don't fit in
And he's welcome inside there, when he's cashed in his tins
He gets a pint or a coffee, sits quiet at the bar
And he loses himself, in the talk and guitars

He's doing the Bin Hoker's Waltz

Then the band strikes a song up, he thinks he once knew
Yeah he had it on a single, back in '72
And the years and indignities just fall away
And he's out on the dance-floor, and he starts to sway

He's doing the Bin Hoker's Waltz

Someone slides him a plate, "You want the rest of my chips?"
And he nurses his drink, with the smallest of sips
And it's better than dodging the cops on the beat
But come closing time, he'll be back on the street.

He's doing the Bin Hoker's Waltz.

© Patrick Hutchinson, 2019, SOCAN

credits

from Saint​-​Quentin, released October 2, 2020
P. Hutchinson, SOCAN 2019

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BluesReel Montreal, Québec

BluesReel is a harmonica-guitar duo inspired by the folk tradition from both sides of the Atlantic. Based in Montreal, BluesReel plays a compelling repertoire of traditional tunes, blues and original compositions. A bit of rawk and roll has also been known to creep in to the mix. ... more

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