"The Hitch-Hiker" is a song by American country musician Tom T. Hall, released in 1972. The song tells the story of a hitchhiker that Hall picks up while on a trip to Kentucky. The hitchhiker, a young man from Prestonsburg, has just lost his father and is headed to Louisville to live with his uncle. Throughout the song, the hitchhiker talks about his life and his struggles. He dropped out of school to work when his father got hurt, but now he has to find work elsewhere. He talks about a girl he wants to see again and his skills in tobacco farming and playing the banjo. The song explores themes of poverty, loss, and the struggles of young people trying to make a life for themselves. The hitchhiker is a symbol of the hardships faced by many Americans in rural areas during the 1970s. In the end, Hall reflects on his own past and realizes that he too started out in a similar way. He feels empathy for the hitchhiker and hopes that he will find the help he needs to succeed. Overall, "The Hitch-Hiker" is a poignant and reflective song that speaks to the struggles of everyday people.
