Song Details
- Album Release Date: 1981-01-01
- Album Name: More Good ‘Uns
Song Meaning (Interpretation) of “The Hitch Hiker – Live 1981” by Jerry Clower
The Hitch Hiker is a humorous tale that Jerry Clower shares about a traveler driving across the state of Mississippi who picks up an unexpected hitchhiker. The hitchhiker is a college-age man who is well-dressed and appears to have means, and yet he says he doesn’t have enough money to get a ride out of town. This strange ride through the country turns out to be a lesson in sharing and understanding for the traveler. On the ride, the hitchhiker shares his beliefs about wealth and poverty and his view of the world, leading the traveler to reflect on his own life and perspective. Through the story, Jerry Clower is conveying the idea that we should be open and willing to share with others, even if those others are very different from us. The song also serves as a reminder to try to look for the common humanity in everyone and to avoid judging people who are less fortunate than us.