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".
Take Me Home
Ramblin' Jack Elliott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seen Boulder Dam and Frisco Bay
I seen New York City and Washington
Seen Montreal and Saskatchewan and Rhode Island
And I've worked in three all night
Service stations and I drove a truck
Take me home, I don't wanna roam no more
Well, I slept all night in a water trough
Had the flu and the croup and the whoopin' cough
Had the mumps and the measles and the seven years itch
And I can't count the times
That I've had a cold and a sore throat
Not to mention all the times
That I cut my fingers on a sardine can
Take me home, my heart is heavy
Well, I can just see 'em all now just a gatherin' 'round
Mama's supper table when the sun goes down
And my good old pappy when the blessing is said
Fillin' up his plate with black eyed peas
And all that stuff and side meat
And a great big hunk of my dear sweet mama's
Hot buttered cornbread
Take me home, my heart is heavy
Take me home, my heart is heavy
Ramblin’ Jack Elliott's song "Take Me Home" is a song about longing for home, a place of love, security, and comfort. The song is about a wandering soul who has traveled extensively in North America. He sings about the various cities and landmarks he’s seen over his travels, from Boston to L.A., Montreal to Saskatchewan, and Frisco Bay to New York City. He talks about working in three all-night service stations and driving a truck. Despite all these travels, he's tired and wishes to return home as his feet are sore and his heart is heavy.
Throughout the song, Elliott expresses the various illnesses he's had over the years, from the flu, croup, and whooping cough, to mumps, measles, and the seven-year itch. He's suffered from a cold, a sore throat, and often cut his fingers on a sardine can. It's evident that his travels have taken a toll on him physically and mentally.
Elliott yearns to return home to his family, where he can sit at the supper table with his mother, father, and siblings. He dreams of his father filling up his plate with black-eyed peas and side meat, while his mother serves hot buttered cornbread, a great comfort food. In conclusion, the song implores the listener to take him back home where he feels a sense of belonging and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I've been from Boston to L.A.
I have traveled extensively across the United States from the east coast city of Boston to the west coast city of Los Angeles.
Seen Boulder Dam and Frisco Bay
I have visited the famous landmarks of Boulder Dam and Frisco Bay during my travels.
I seen New York City and Washington
I have also been to other notable American cities, such as New York City and Washington D.C.
Seen Montreal and Saskatchewan and Rhode Island
In addition to US cities, I have also seen cities in Canada, such as Montreal and Saskatchewan, as well as the smaller state of Rhode Island.
And I've worked in three all night
At some point during my travels, I have worked in three different all night convenience stores, probably as a way to support myself.
Service stations and I drove a truck
In addition to working at convenience stores, I have also worked in service stations and even drove a truck at some point.
Take me home, my heart is heavy and my feet are sore
Despite my extensive travels and work experiences, I am homesick and exhausted. I long to go back home and rest.
Take me home, I don't wanna roam no more
I am tired of traveling and want to go back home for good.
Well, I slept all night in a water trough
During my travels, I have endured some difficult situations, such as having to sleep in a water trough, which is likely very uncomfortable.
Had the flu and the croup and the whoopin' cough
I have also suffered from various illnesses like the flu, croup, and whooping cough, which have made my travels even more trying.
Had the mumps and the measles and the seven years itch
In addition to the illnesses mentioned before, I have also had the mumps, measles, and even the seven year itch (a severe itchy skin rash).
And I can't count the times
There have been many times when I have been sick or injured during my travels.
That I've had a cold and a sore throat
Some of the most common illnesses I have experienced during my travels include colds and sore throats.
Not to mention all the times
In addition to physical illnesses, I have also suffered from difficult situations that have caused me emotional pain.
That I cut my fingers on a sardine can
Sometimes, even the smallest incidents, like cutting my fingers on a sardine can, have caused me great discomfort and pain during my travels.
Well, I can just see 'em all now just a gatherin' 'round
Despite all the hardships I've faced during my travels, I can now clearly picture my family and loved ones gathering around at home.
Mama's supper table when the sun goes down
I picture myself returning home to my mother's supper table, likely for a warm home cooked meal.
And my good old pappy when the blessing is said
I also imagine my father, who may have a role in leading prayer before dinner.
Fillin' up his plate with black eyed peas
I can see my father filling up his plate with traditional southern foods like black eyed peas.
And all that stuff and side meat
In addition to black eyed peas, there would be plenty of side dishes like vegetables and meat.
And a great big hunk of my dear sweet mama's
And of course, there would be plenty of my dear sweet mother's hot buttered cornbread, which I long to taste again.
Hot buttered cornbread
I am craving my mother's hot buttered cornbread and want to return home to enjoy it once more.
Take me home, my heart is heavy
The thought of returning home to my loved ones and enjoying a warm meal and a sense of belonging is heavy on my heart, making me long for it even more.
Take me home, my heart is heavy
I am determined to return home and put an end to my travels, as I long for a place to call home and be surrounded by love and comfort.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Phil Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robinhood480
Hurry and play ... don’t tune
Oh wow! That sounds weird.
Out of tune somehow
Next: Hurry up and bring my dinner. I don’t care. Bring it now !
Oh. That’s kinda rare.... are you sure you cooked this before you brought it to me ?
But sir....
No butts !
I want what I want when I want it ..... and I want it NOW !
@mitchgawlik1175
Johnny really had a way with guests. He was comfortable with everyone.
@elipkau
Always a pleasure to see Rambling Jack Elliot
@gwynnielsen5081
Although I am not a huge fan of country/western, I have a huge amount of respect for these artists.
@SethKessel
I like how ramblin jack is tuning his guitar on the sly on national tv. great
@mase15
this made my day. thank you!
@Kine1
Great ,love the humour here, and Kris ` comments :-) Thanks Tina :-)
@danielmoran9902
Forget about it... Cash was the man. X
@maurocurty5152
Wonderfull,muito bom...
@mentalcompassno1
One day everyone will know him
@myyoutube887
a Humm