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.
I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound
Tom Paxton Lyrics
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The folks I meet ain't always kind
Some are bad and some are good
Some have done the best they could
Some have tried to ease my troubled mind
And I can't help but wonder
Where I'm bound, where I'm bound
I've been wanderin' through this land, doin' the best I can
Tryin' to find what I was meant to do
And the people that I see look as worried as can be
And it looks like they are wonderin' too
And I can't help but wonder
Where I'm bound, where I'm bound
Can't help but wonder where I'm bound
Now I had a little girl one time, she had lips like sherry wine
And she loved me 'til my head went plumb insane
But I was too blind to see she was driftin' away from me
And my good gal went off on the mornin' train
And I can't help but wonder
Where I'm bound, where I'm bound
Can't help but wonder where I'm bound
And I had a buddy way back home, but he started out to roam
And I hear he's out by Frisco Bay
And sometimes when I've had a few, his old voice comes a-ringin' through
And I'm goin' out to see him some old day
And I can't help but wonder
Where I'm bound, where I'm bound
Can't help but wonder where I'm bound
Well if you see me passin' by and you sit and you wonder why
And you wish that you were a rambler too
Nail your shoes to the kitchen floor, lace 'em up and bar the door
Thank your stars for the roof that's over you
And I can't help but wonder
Where I'm bound, where I'm bound
Can't help but wonder where I'm bound
Tom Paxton's song "I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound" is a reflective piece about a traveler's journey through life. The lyrics describe a difficult and unpredictable journey, both physically and emotionally. The first verse talks about the dusty roads and heavy loads that the traveler encounters, and the people they meet who are not always kind. However, there are also those who have done their best to help ease their troubles. The traveler cannot help but wonder about their destination, both physically and in a broader sense of purpose.
The second verse expresses the universal desire to find one's purpose and place in the world. The traveler has been wandering, trying to do the best they can and seeking answers. However, they observe that others around them seem to be just as lost and anxious. The chorus repeats the theme of questioning where the traveler is headed.
The third verse talks about a lost love, a girl with "lips like sherry wine" who loved the traveler until they became blind to her drifting away. The fourth verse is about a lost friend who went out west to Frisco Bay. The traveler hears his friend's voice in their head when they've had a few drinks, and they plan on seeing him someday. The final verse is a cautionary message to those who may envy the traveler's lifestyle. The traveler reminds the listener to appreciate the safety and security of their own home, rather than wishing for an uncertain and unstable journey.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a long and dusty road, a hot and a heavy load
The journey of life is arduous and uncomfortable.
The folks I meet ain't always kind
Not everyone one encounters in life is friendly or pleasant.
Some are bad and some are good
People have varying personalities and motives.
Some have done the best they could
Some people have tried their hardest despite challenges.
Some have tried to ease my troubled mind
Certain individuals have provided emotional support during difficult times.
And I can't help but wonder
Where I'm bound, where I'm bound
Can't help but wonder where I'm bound
The singer is uncertain about their destination in life and wonders about where they will end up.
I've been wanderin' through this land, doin' the best I can
Tryin' to find what I was meant to do
The singer has been travelling and searching for their purpose in life.
And the people that I see look as worried as can be
And it looks like they are wonderin' too
Others around the singer seem anxious and unsure about their own future.
Now I had a little girl one time, she had lips like sherry wine
And she loved me 'til my head went plumb insane
But I was too blind to see she was driftin' away from me
And my good gal went off on the mornin' train
The singer had a past relationship with a woman who loved him, but he failed to notice her growing distant and eventually leaving him.
And I had a buddy way back home, but he started out to roam
And I hear he's out by Frisco Bay
And sometimes when I've had a few, his old voice comes a-ringin' through
And I'm goin' out to see him some old day
The singer had a close friend who left to travel and now lives by Frisco Bay; the singer sometimes hears his friend's voice in his head and wishes to visit him one day.
Well if you see me passin' by and you sit and you wonder why
And you wish that you were a rambler too
Nail your shoes to the kitchen floor, lace 'em up and bar the door
Thank your stars for the roof that's over you
If others envy the singer's wandering lifestyle, he advises them to appreciate the stability of their home.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Tom Paxton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind