At the time of his death, Hartford was also working on the biography of the blind fiddler Ed Haley. Hartford's album Wild Hog in the Red Bush is a collection of Haley's tunes. Hartford also provided narration for several of Ken Burns' documentaries.
Hartford was given a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
Hartford recorded more than 30 albums in his life, ranging across a broad spectrum of styles--from the traditional country of his early RCA recordings, to the new and experimental sound of his early newgrass recordings, to the traditional folk style to which he often returned later in his life. Hartford's albums also vary widely in formality, from the stately and orderly "Annual Waltz" to the rougher and less cut recordings that typified many of his later albums.
"Aereo-Plain" and "Morning Bugle" are often considered to be Hartford's most influential work, coming as they did at the very beginning of a period in which artists such as Hartford and the New Grass Revival, led by Sam Bush, would create a new form of country music, blending their country backgrounds with influences from another of other sources. His later years saw a number of live albums, as well as recordings that explored the repertoire of old-time folk music. He sketched the cover art for some of his mid-career albums, drawing with both hands simultaneously.
From the 1980s onwards, Hartford struggled with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. On June 4, 2001 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, at age 63, he died of the disease.
Hartford is remembered as an influential and pioneering artist. Never bound by the limitations of one genre, he recorded wherever his interests led him. Performing and recording until his illness rendered him incapable of continuing, Hartford contributed a vast and unique body of work to the library of American music.
In Tall Buildings
John Hartford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And others have taught me the best that they can
They'll sell me a suit then cut off my hair
And send me to work in tall buildings
So it's goodbye to the sunshine
Goodbye to the dew
Goodbye to the flowers
I'm off to the subway
I must not be late
I'm going to work in tall buildings
Oh when I retire
My life is my own
I made all the payments
It's time to go home
And wonder what happened
Betwixt and between
When I went to work in tall buildings
So it's goodbye to the sunshine
Goodbye to the dew
Goodbye to the flowers
And goodbye to you
I'm off to the subway
I must not be late
Going to work in tall buildings
So it's goodbye to the sunshine
Goodbye to the dew
Goodbye to the flowers
And goodbye to you
I'm off to the subway
I must not be late
I'm going to work in tall buildings
John Hartford's "In Tall Buildings" details the journey of a young man who is about to enter the world of adulthood. He talks about how he will be taught by others who have given him their best, after which he will be sent off to work in tall buildings. The song reflects the monotony and the disillusionment experienced by people who are trapped in the daily grind of modern society.
The opening verse of the song talks about how the singer's hair will be cut short and how he will be given a regular job. He will then have to say goodbye to his carefree and happy life, signified by the goodbye to the sunshine, dew, and flowers. The next verse describes his daily routine of taking the subway to work and not being late.
The last verse of the song paints a picture of the singer's retirement. He remembers his life, reflecting on what had happened in between his journey from being a carefree youth to a working adult. It is a sentimental and melancholic farewell to the past when he was free of financial obligations.
Overall, the song "In Tall Buildings" is a poignant reflection on the life and struggles of the working population. It portrays the many compromises we make in our lives to lead a stable existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Someday, my baby, when I am a man
One day, when I am old and wise
And others have taught me the best that they can
And I have learned from the greatest teachers around
They'll sell me a suit then cut off my hair
They'll make me conform to a certain look and image
And send me to work in tall buildings
And send me to a life of working in corporate, soulless skyscrapers
Oh when I retire
Oh, when I am done working for the man
My life is my own
I'll finally have my freedom and independence
I made all the payments
I've served my time and paid my dues
It's time to go home
It's finally time to go back to where I belong
And wonder what happened betwixt and between
And ponder the things that have happened, from the start of my career to the end of it
When I went to work in tall buildings
When I was forced to live a life of working in tall buildings
So it's goodbye to the sunshine
So farewell to the bright and beautiful things in life
Goodbye to the dew
Farewell to the small things in life that make it worth living
Goodbye to the flowers
Farewell to natural, artistic and creative pursuits
And goodbye to you
And farewell to you as well, my love
I'm off to the subway
Now, I must leave for the subway
I must not be late
I cannot be tardy or delay my work
Going to work in tall buildings
I am going to my soul-sapping job in the towers of concrete and steel
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Hartford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ninachristina1133
Someday, baby, when I am a man
And other's have taught me
The best that they can
They'll sell me a suit
And cut off my hair
And send me to work in tall buildings
And it's goodbye to the sunshine
Goodbye to the dew
Goodbye to the flowers
And goodbye to you
I'm off to the subway
I must not be late
Going to work in tall buildings
Now when I retire
And my life is my own
I made all the payments
It's time to go home
And wonder what happened
Betwixt and between
When I went to work in tall buildings
And it's goodbye to the sunshine
Goodbye to the dew
Goodbye to the flowers
And goodbye to you
I'm off to the subway
I mustn't be late
Going to work in tall buildings
@bullmet1
In two verses, and one chorus, John was able to to convery the frailty and joy of the working man and woman's existense. One of the best. I saw John perform this a few times. RIP Mr. Hartford.
@alexisgalindo9468
Thank you
@snideelf
Really great song. Great words to the song. Hartford is one of America's best musicians. The best of American Folk music.
Rest In Peace John Hartford.
@MatthewCastro
What a beautiful song. What haven’t I heard of it or of him before.. I turned 30 last year and decided to quit a job I was making a lot of money in and travel Colombia, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I learned a lot about myself in many ways, and I learned how to sing and play guitar.. now im going back to Colombia to finish what I started.
@kdwilli7453
You ve probably heard him. You just didn't know it 😊
@justinoxton6790
@kd willi very likely, a lot of the big bluegrass festy bands cover his work.. if you listen to rumpke mountain boys, or string cheese then you've heard his music
@zder
This song pretty much sums it all up..myself having grown up in a small rural Cape Breton, Nova Scotia setting and working 26+ years in Toronto. This says it all. Great song.
@JohnDoe-fv3vs
Same, grew up in southern West Virginia... now looks like be in DC if I want to make good money.
@mickeywoolard63
@John Doe Yeah... Western KY here...New England transplant...the Mts... not that much difference and we all listen to JHartford...
@SusanHeaton
Loved John Hartford and all his works. I still mourn his passing, a nice man and great performer.