After time in the Army Reserves, Paxton moved to New York City where he frequented the city's Greenwich Village coffeehouse circuit. His early success in Greenwich Village coffeehouses led to an ever-increasing circle of work. He made his professional debut at the Gaslight, the renowned folk haunt that also issued the singer's first album. In 1962 Gaslight Records would press 2,000 copies of his debut album, I'm The Man Who Built The Bridges.
Paxton also auditioned to join the Chad Mitchell Trio, but although he failed, the group enjoyed a 1963 hit with "The Marvelous Toy," one of Paxton's early songs. Paxton performed at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival, a performance that would be recorded-and released-by Vanguard Records. Paxton would go on to record a second album with Vanguard-at the Newport Folk Festival the following year - but his association with that record company lapsed, and it would not be until the year 2000 that Vanguard once again released a Tom Paxton album, Tom Paxton: Best of the Vanguard Years. In 1964 Paxton was signed to Elektra Records for whom he recorded his best-known work. Then in 1965 he made his first tour of the United Kingdom - the beginning of a still-thriving professional relationship that has included at least one tour in each of the succeeding years.
He and his wife Midge have been married since 1963 and have two daughters, Jennifer and Kate. All three women have served as inspiration for many of Paxton's songs. He now has three grandsons, Christopher, Sean, and Peter.
In addition to songwriting, Tom Paxton has written many critically acclaimed children's books, some of which were inspired by his songs for children.
He has performed thousands of concerts around the world in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Scandinavia, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, England, Scotland, Ireland and Canada. Paxton enjoys a strong relationship with fans throughout the world. His songs have experienced enduring appeal, including modern standards such as "The Last Thing on My Mind" (perhaps Paxton's best-known song, it has been recorded by dozens of artists, including Judy Collins, Sandy Denny, Dolly Parton, and Porter Wagoner), "Ramblin' Boy", "Bottle of Wine", "Whose Garden Was This", "The Marvelous Toy", and "The Hostage" (which recounts the 1971 uprising at Attica State Prison).
In February 2002, Tom Paxton was honored with the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award in Folk Music. A few days later, he received three Wammies (Washington, DC, Area Music Awards); as Best Male Vocalist in the "traditional folk" and "children's music" categories, and for Best Traditional Folk Recording of the Year for Under American Skies (the duo album he made with Anne Hills in 2001). This was the first Paxton album to receive an award of any kind.
Paxton has been nominated four times for Grammy Awards in his career, all since 2002.
In 2004, the Martin Guitar Company introduced the HD-40LSH Tom Paxton Signature Edition acoustic guitar in his honor.
In 2005, Paxton received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting at BBC Radio 2's Folk Awards at London's Brewery Arts Centre.
In 2006, Paxton received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance.
On January 22, 2007, Paxton was honored with an official UK Parliamentary tribute at the British House of Commons at the start of his 2007 United Kingdom tour.
On May 3, 2008, Paxton was honored with a special lifetime tribute from the World Folk Music Association, and a concert was held at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus, in Alexandria, Virginia.
Along the Verdigris
Tom Paxton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oklahoma's prettier now than I have ever seen.
High up in the cottonwood an eagle makes her nest.
Evening on the Verdigris, the time I love the best
Down along the Verdigris, the seasons come and go
Life is right beside you here and you can feel it flow
Down to meet the Arkansas then rolling to the sea
Come and take a walk with me along the Verdigris
I'll show you a sunset that's the way it's meant to be
Blackbird heading homeward at the closing of the day
Just like me, the Verdigris is where he means to stay
My first steps were taken where her muddy waters flow
All my life I've walked these hills, these hills are what I know
I tried life in Tulsa did not do a thing for me
I long to hear the birds in song along the Verdigris
Down along the Verdigris, the seasons come and go
Life is right beside you here and you can feel it flow
Down to meet the Arkansas then rolling to the sea
All the way to New Orleans from here on the Verdigris
Down to meet the Arkansas then rolling to the sea
All the way to New Orleans from here on the Verdigris
In the song "Along the Verdigris," Tom Paxton beautifully describes the vibrant beauty of Oklahoma. The opening lyrics, "Everywhere I look today everything is green, Oklahoma's prettier now than I have ever seen" paint a picture of a luscious, thriving natural world. He goes on to describe the nests of eagles in the cottonwood trees, adding depth to the imagery of the green landscape. The Verdigris river is the focal point of the song, and he describes the seasonality of the river and how life flows alongside it. Paxton reminisces about his childhood memories of growing up within the Verdigris's waters and hills, describing the natural beauty in terms of the sounds and smells of the birds and the land.
The Verdigris River, which is located in the eastern part of Oklahoma, flows into the Arkansas River which, in turn, flows into the Mississippi river. Paxton's lyrics reflect the sense of deep appreciation he holds for his birthplace in Oklahoma, and his love for the beauty of nature that surrounds it. He tells the listener to take a walk with him along the river where he will show them an unforgettable sunset. The melancholic note in his voice during the last verse, where he states how he tried to leave and make a life in Tulsa but failed, is a reflection of how deeply connected he is to the river and the land he grew up in.
Line by Line Meaning
Every where I look today everything is green
The singer is observing their surroundings and noting the abundance of vegetation.
Oklahoma's prettier now than I have ever seen.
The singer believes that the state of Oklahoma has improved in its natural beauty since their last visit.
High up in the cottonwood an eagle makes her nest.
The singer is pointing out an eagle's nest in a cottonwood tree, which demonstrates the presence of wildlife in the area.
Evening on the Verdigris, the time I love the best
The artist enjoys the evening time specifically along the Verdigris River.
Down along the Verdigris, the seasons come and go
The artist is acknowledging the presence of seasons and their cyclical nature along the Verdigris River.
Life is right beside you here and you can feel it flow
The singer feels a sense of vitality and energy from being in the presence of the river and its natural surroundings.
Down to meet the Arkansas then rolling to the sea
The Verdigris River flows southward to join with the Arkansas River and ultimately empties out into the Gulf of Mexico.
All the way to New Orleans from here on the Verdigris
The artist is emphasizing the length and significance of the Verdigris River, as it flows all the way down to New Orleans.
Come and take a walk with me along the Verdigris
The artist is inviting someone to join them for a walk along the river.
I'll show you a sunset that's the way it's meant to be
The artist is offering to introduce the other person to a beautiful sunset as it is naturally occurring in this setting.
Blackbird heading homeward at the closing of the day
The singer is noting the presence of a blackbird, a common resident bird species, as it heads back to its nesting place at the end of the day.
Just like me, the Verdigris is where he means to stay
The artist draws a comparison between themselves and the blackbird, suggesting that they both feel a sense of belonging and contentment along the river.
My first steps were taken where her muddy waters flow
The singer is reflecting on their personal history and noting that their earliest memories are tied to the Verdigris River and its muddy waters.
All my life I've walked these hills, these hills are what I know
The singer has spent their whole life in the surrounding hills and is familiar with this landscape.
I tried life in Tulsa did not do a thing for me
The singer has tried living in a nearby city but did not find it satisfying or fulfilling in the same way as being near the river.
I long to hear the birds in song along the Verdigris
The artist yearns to be surrounded by the natural sounds of birds singing while being near the river.
Down to meet the Arkansas then rolling to the sea
The Verdigris River flows southward to join with the Arkansas River and ultimately empties out into the Gulf of Mexico.
All the way to New Orleans from here on the Verdigris
The singer is emphasizing the length and significance of the Verdigris River, as it flows all the way down to New Orleans.
Contributed by Julia V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.