Originally from New York, Elliott grew up in a Jewish family and had always wanted to be a cowboy. Pressured by his parents to follow in his father's footsteps and become a doctor, Elliott resisted and inspired by the rodeos he attended at Madison Square Garden, he ran away from home at the age of 15 and joined the J.E. Ranch Rodeo. Although he was only with the rodeo for three months (before his parents tracked him down and he was sent home), Elliott was exposed to his first singing cowboy, a rodeo clown who played guitar and banjo and sang songs.
Returning home, Elliott taught himself to play guitar and started busking for a living. Eventually he hooked up with Woody Guthrie and lived with him as a kind of student.
With banjo player Derroll Adams, he later toured Great Britain and Europe and had a lasting effect on the music scene there. By 1960, he had made three folk albums for the British label, Topic. Playing in the small clubs and pubs of London by day, he would then take his act to the smart, west end night clubs. Upon arriving back in the U.S., Elliott discovered he had become well-known within the folk scene.
Elliott's greatest influence was Woody Guthrie. Guthrie's son, Arlo, has said that because of his dad's illness and early death, he never really got to know him. Arlo acknowledged that he learned his dad's songs and musical style through Elliott.
Elliott's musical style influenced Bob Dylan so heavily that Dylan's first gig in New York City was billed as "Son of Jack Elliott." While Dylan rose to prominence through his compositions, Elliott continued as an interpretive troubadour, bringing old songs to new audiences in an idiosyncratic manner.
Elliott appeared on Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue and played Longheno de Castro in Dylan's Renaldo and Clara.
Jack Elliott's style is distinctive in its use of excellent guitar technique matched with laconic, humorous storytelling and an emotional intensity in the singing.
Elliott's nickname is due not to his travel habits, but rather to the countless stories he would relate before answering the simplest of questions. Folk singer Odetta claims that it was her mother who gave him the name by remarking, "Oh Jack Elliott, yeah, he can sure ramble on!"
He was famously parodied in on the BBC in the 1960s by Kenneth Williams as Rambling Syd Rumpo who was a recurring character on Round the Horne. His claims of authenticity as a folk artist (despite being a Jewish doctor's son from New York City) and disparagement of other folk artists were also parodied by the Folksmen (Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer) in A Mighty Wind both in the name of their "hit" Ramblin' and in their claims that their version was more authentic than the New Main Street Singers's version.
Jack Elliott's first recording in 20 years, "South Coast", earned him his first Grammy in 1995. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1998. Ramblin' Jack's long career and strained relationship with his daughter Aiyana were chronicled in her 2000 documentary, "The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack".
At 75, he has recently changed labels and released "I Stand Alone" on the Anti- label, with an assortment of guest backup players including members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers; again, an idiosyncratic collection of little-known music delivered with humor and intensity. He is on record as saying his intention was to title the album "Not For The Tourists" because it was recorded in response to his daughter's request for songs he loved but never played in concert. When she asked why he did not play them in public, he replied "These songs are not for the tourists".
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
Ramblin' Jack Elliott Lyrics
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And your gravity fails and negativity don't pull you through
Don't put on any airs when you're down on Rue Morgue Avenue
They got some hungry women there and they really make a mess out of you
Now, if you see Saint Annie, please tell her thanks a lot
I cannot move, my fingers are all in a knot
I don't have the strength to get up and take another shot
Sweet Melinda, the peasants call her the goddess of gloom
She speaks good English and she invites you up into her room
And you're so kind and careful not to go to her too soon
And she takes your voice and leaves you howling at the moon
Up on Housing Project Hill it's either fortune or fame
You must pick one or the other, though neither of them are to be what they claim
If you're lookin' to get silly, you better go back to from where you came
Because the cops don't need you, and man, they expect the same
Now, all the authorities, they just stand around and boast
How they blackmailed the sergeant-at-arms into leaving his post
And picking up Angel, who just arrived here from the coast
Who looked so fine at first but left looking just like a ghost
I started out on burgundy but soon hit the harder stuff
Everybody said they'd stand behind me when the game got rough
But the joke was on me, there was nobody even there to bluff
I'm going back to New York City, I do believe I've had enough
Ramblin' Jack Elliott's song "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" is a vivid and complex portrait of a man who is lost, both figuratively and literally. The song is filled with allusions to different places and people, which make it difficult to pin down an exact meaning. Nonetheless, the overall theme seems to be one of alienation and despair.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the song, painting a picture of the singer wandering aimlessly in Juarez, Mexico, during the Easter season. His mood is further exacerbated by his gravitation failing and his inability to stay positive. The line "Don't put on any airs when you're down on Rue Morgue Avenue" suggests that he's trying to play it cool or act tough, but he's fooling no one; he's vulnerable and needs help. The reference to the "hungry women" is ambiguous but could be interpreted as a metaphor for something that's threatening to swallow him up.
The second stanza mentions "Saint Annie," who could be a reference to the Catholic saint or just an allusion to someone who is helpful and supportive. The singer, however, is so overwhelmed that he cannot find the strength to take another shot. His "best friend, his doctor" refuses to reveal his diagnosis, further underscoring the singer's sense of powerlessness. The mention of "Sweet Melinda" and the peasants' nickname for her as the "goddess of gloom" suggests that she's depressed and may be a prostitute or a drug addict. Nonetheless, even though she invites him up to her room, the singer is afraid to go too soon, knowing that she'll take his voice and leave him howling at the moon.
There are many other allusions and metaphors throughout the song, including references to Housing Project Hill, which is a place where you must choose either "fortune or fame" both of which are misleading. The police do not need you, and they expect that you do not need them either. The final stanza is particularly powerful, describing the singer's descent into alcoholism, his friends' failure to stand by him when things get tough, and his sense of being completely alone. The line "I'm going back to New York City, I do believe I've had enough" suggests that he's giving up and returning to the place where he started.
Overall, "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" is a haunting and evocative song that portrays the struggles of a man who is lost and alone in the world. It's a prime example of Bob Dylan's storytelling and poetic abilities.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're lost in the rain in Juarez and it's Easter time, too
When you're feeling down and stuck in a dark place, with no way out, and it's even worse because it's supposed to be a time of joy and celebration.
And your gravity fails and negativity don't pull you through
Your usual way of coping with things isn't working anymore, and you're struggling to keep your head above water.
Don't put on any airs when you're down on Rue Morgue Avenue
When you're in a bad way, you can't pretend to be something you're not, especially when you're around people who aren't fooled by that kind of thing.
They got some hungry women there and they really make a mess out of you
There are people in the world who will take advantage of you when you're vulnerable, and it's best to stay away from them, especially when you're not feeling your best.
Now, if you see Saint Annie, please tell her thanks a lot
If you come across someone who has helped you in the past, it's important to acknowledge and appreciate them, even if you can't repay their kindness.
I cannot move, my fingers are all in a knot
Sometimes when you're overwhelmed, you can't even physically move, let alone think or act clearly.
I don't have the strength to get up and take another shot
When you're at your lowest point, it's hard to summon the energy to keep going and keep fighting.
And my best friend, my doctor, won't even say what it is I've got
Even when you turn to those closest to you for help, sometimes they can't give you the answers you need, adding to the uncertainty and confusion.
Sweet Melinda, the peasants call her the goddess of gloom
There are people in the world who seem to revel in sadness and negativity, and some even idolize them for it.
She speaks good English and she invites you up into her room
These people can lure you in with their charm and charisma, but it's important to be cautious and not let them take advantage of you.
And you're so kind and careful not to go to her too soon
Even when you're vulnerable and in need of comfort, it's important to take things slowly and not rush into anything you might regret later.
And she takes your voice and leaves you howling at the moon
These toxic people can drain you of your energy and your ability to express yourself, leaving you feeling alone and helpless.
Up on Housing Project Hill it's either fortune or fame
In some communities, success is measured solely by money or status, and it's hard to achieve either without leaving a part of yourself behind.
You must pick one or the other, though neither of them are to be what they claim
No matter which path you choose, there will always be pitfalls and downsides that you didn't expect or plan for.
If you're lookin' to get silly, you better go back to from where you came
If you're not serious about your goals and dreams, or if you're not willing to put in the hard work and sacrifice required to achieve them, then you're better off not trying at all.
Because the cops don't need you, and man, they expect the same
In some communities, the police are not on your side, and may even view you as a nuisance or a threat, regardless of whether you're doing anything wrong or not.
Now, all the authorities, they just stand around and boast
Those in power and authority often revel in their own achievements and accomplishments, despite the fact that they may not have earned them or helped others along the way.
How they blackmailed the sergeant-at-arms into leaving his post
Those in power will stop at nothing to maintain their control and dominance, even if it means using underhanded tactics or bullying others into submission.
And picking up Angel, who just arrived here from the coast
Those in power may also prey on the vulnerable and the powerless, such as immigrants or refugees, to further their own interests and agendas.
Who looked so fine at first but left looking just like a ghost
These people may seem confident and hopeful at first, but they can quickly become disillusioned and defeated by the harsh realities of the world they face.
I started out on burgundy but soon hit the harder stuff
Even when you think you're making good decisions and moving in the right direction, things can quickly spiral out of control and lead to problems and challenges down the road.
Everybody said they'd stand behind me when the game got rough
Even when you have support and encouragement from others, it's ultimately up to you to navigate the difficult times and make tough decisions on your own.
But the joke was on me, there was nobody even there to bluff
Sometimes, even when you think you have a backup plan or a safety net, you're actually completely on your own, with no one to turn to or rely on.
I'm going back to New York City, I do believe I've had enough
When everything feels overwhelming and unbearable, sometimes the best thing you can do is take a step back, reevaluate your priorities, and regroup in a place where you feel more comfortable and in control.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind