According to Bob Dylan's autobiographical Chronicles, Woody Guthrie gave his unpublished songs to Dylan but Bob was unable to get them from Guthrie's family (he tells a story about a reluctant babysitter).
Nora Guthrie's liner notes in Mermaid Avenue indicate that it was her intention that the songs be given to a new generation of musicians who would be able to make the songs relevant to a younger generation. She therefore contacted singer-songwriter Billy Bragg in spring 1995 about recording some unreleased songs by her father, folk singer Woody Guthrie. Most of the songs were written late in Guthrie's life when he was unable to record due to the motor impairments of Huntington's disease. By the 1990s, Woody Guthrie had become a "relic" to the MTV generation, and Nora sought to establish a different legacy for the musician. To Nora, Bragg was "the only singer I knew taking on the same issues as Woody." Bragg was concerned, however, that his fans would not realize that the songs were written by Guthrie when he performed them on tour, so he decided to record the album with another band.
Bragg contacted Tweedy and Bennett about co-recording the album while Wilco was on the European segment of their Being There tour. Bragg was particularly fond of Being There because their influences extended farther back than the 1950s. Although Tweedy was indifferent to the offer, Bennett was enthused about recording songs of one of his idols—Bennett's previous band Titanic Love Affair was named after a Billy Bragg lyric. A recording contract between Bragg and Wilco was signed after a show at Shepherd's Bush Empire. Bragg mostly recorded the politically-charged lyrics, while Tweedy preferred to record lyrics that showcased Guthrie as a "freak weirdo." The recording of Mermaid Avenue began on December 12, 1997, and was the topic of BBC's Man in the Sand documentary film.
Tempers flared between Bragg and Wilco after the album was completed. Bennett believed that Bragg was overproducing his songs, a sharp contrast to Wilco's sparser contributions. Bennett called Bragg about the possibility of remixing Bragg's songs, to which Bragg responded with "you make your record, and I'll make mine, fucker." Eventually Bragg sent copies of his recordings to Chicago for Bennett to remix, but Bragg refused to use the new mixes on the album. The two parties were unable to establish a promotional tour and quarreled over royalties and guest musician fees.
Despite these conflicts, the album was released on June 23, 1998, and sold over 277,000 copies. The album received rave reviews from Robert Christgau and Rolling Stone, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. It also placed fourth on the Pazz & Jop critics poll for 1998 (right behind Bob Dylan's Live 1966).
Eisler on the Go
Billy Bragg & Wilco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Brother is on the vinegar truck
And I don't know what I'll do
I don't know what I'll do
I don't know what I'll do
Eisler's on the come and go
And I don't know what I'll do
Eisler on the farm, Eisler on the town
And I don't know what I'll do
Eisler on the boat, Eisler on the ship
Daddy on the hen house roof
And I don't know what I'll do
Eisler in the jailoe, Eisler back at home
Rankin scratch his head and cry
And I don't know what I'll do
Eisler him write music, Eisler him teach school
Truman him don't play so good
And I don't know what I'll do
The song "Eisler on the Go" is inspired by the life of the Austrian composer, Hanns Eisler, who was a close collaborator of Bertolt Brecht. The lyrics mention Eisler's many travels and changing situations, from working on a farm to being in jail. Each verse is paired with a different family member or friend, creating a sense of a community coming together despite challenges.
The repetition of "And I don't know what I'll do" in each verse suggests a feeling of uncertainty and confusion, but also a sense of perseverance in the face of adversity. The mention of Truman and his poor playing possibly refers to President Harry S. Truman and a criticism of his policies or leadership.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a life constantly in flux, with moments of joy and struggle, but ultimately with a commitment to creating and teaching music as a means of resistance and expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Eisler on the go, Eisler on the move
Eisler is constantly moving and traveling.
Brother is on the vinegar truck
The singer's brother is working on a transportation truck.
And I don't know what I'll do
The singer is uncertain about their future.
I don't know what I'll do
The artist repeats their uncertainty.
I don't know what I'll do
The artist repeats their uncertainty.
Eisler's on the come and go
Eisler is constantly coming and going, never staying in one place for too long.
And I don't know what I'll do
The singer is still uncertain about their future.
Eisler on the farm, Eisler on the town
Eisler is moving between rural and urban areas.
Sister in the tickly bush
The artist's sister is in an uncomfortable situation.
And I don't know what I'll do
The artist is still uncertain about their future.
Eisler on the boat, Eisler on the ship
Eisler is traveling via different modes of transportation.
Daddy on the hen house roof
The artist's father is working on the roof of a chicken coop.
And I don't know what I'll do
The singer is still uncertain about their future.
Eisler in the jailoe, Eisler back at home
Eisler has been in jail and has returned home.
Rankin scratch his head and cry
Rankin is upset and confused.
And I don't know what I'll do
The artist is still uncertain about their future.
Eisler him write music, Eisler him teach school
Eisler has different professions, including a musician and a teacher.
Truman him don't play so good
Truman is not a skilled musician.
And I don't know what I'll do
The singer is still uncertain about their future.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLY BRAGG, WOODY GUTHRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Samsuzza
As angry and brash as billy Bragg can be, he still writes some beautiful melodies... this is one. Much respect to Woody.
loosecon
Such a beautiful and lonely song. I understand it.
Marcos Peralta
Sunday morning, a cigarrete and this, what a lovely sunny day outside
Shaksvshav
Eisler and Brecht wrote a terrific anthem of militancy, 'Solidaritatslied', which is on Youtube. Eisler also wrote the GDR's national anthem.
Day 0
What is your point
Murl Center
dont know why i decided to buy this cd back in the day but i did. sophomore year of colege the years the towers fell
Eric Gammill
10 years on, have another listen mate
Constantart
and best known for composing the national anthem of the GDR!
Contact Info
Another man done gone, another man done gone.
Joshua Wright
i don't know what i'll do. human despair.