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.
Jimmy Newman
Tom Paxton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The engine's are rumbling the coffee's all brewed
Get up Jimmy Newman there's work to be done
And why do you lie there still sleeping
There's a waiting line forming to use the latrine
And the sun is just opening the sky
The breakfast they're serving just has to be seen
Get up Jimmy Newman my radio's on
The news is all bad but it's good for a laugh
The tent flap is loose and the peg must be gone
Why do you lie there still sleeping
The night nurse is gone and the sexy one's here
And she tells us such beautiful lies
Her uniform's tight on her marvellous rear
And you've only to open your eyes
Get up Jimmy Newman you're missing the fun
We're loading the plane Jim it's time to go home
It's over for us there's no more to be done
And why do you lie there still sleeping
It's stateside for us Jim the folks may not know
We'll let it be such a surprise
They're loading us next Jim we're ready to go
And you've only to open your eyes
Get up Jimmy Newman they won't take my word
I said you sleep hard but they're shaking their heads
Get up Jimmy Newman and show them you heard
Jimmy just show them you're sleeping
A joke is a joke but there's nothing to gain
Jim I'd slap you but I'm too weak to rise
Get up damn it Jimmy you're missing the plane
And you've only to open your eyes.
The song "Jimmy Newman" by Tom Paxton tells the story of a soldier who is about to be sent home from the war. The opening lyrics reveal that the morning is here and it's time for Jimmy to get up and face the day. The rest of the song is a plea to Jimmy to wake up and not miss out on the opportunities that are coming his way.
The first verse describes how everyone is up and ready for the day, and wonders why Jimmy is still sleeping. The second verse describes the attractive night nurse who has been replaced by a beautiful "day nurse". Even she can't get Jimmy to open his eyes. In the third verse, everyone is ready to load up and head stateside. Jimmy's fellow soldiers are frustrated that he won't wake up and show that he's ready to go.
The song speaks to the idea that some people, no matter how much opportunity they have before them, just can't seem to get their life together. Jimmy is missing out on all the good things that are happening around him because he won't wake up and take advantage of them.
Line by Line Meaning
Get up Jimmy Newman the morning is come
It's morning and time to wake up, Jimmy Newman.
The engine's are rumbling the coffee's all brewed
The engines are running and the coffee is ready indicating that it's time to get to work.
Get up Jimmy Newman there's work to be done
Jimmy Newman needs to wake up as there is work that needs to be done.
And why do you lie there still sleeping
Asking why Jimmy is still asleep when there is work that needs to be done.
There's a waiting line forming to use the latrine
People are waiting to use the bathroom.
And the sun is just opening the sky
The sun is rising in the sky.
The breakfast they're serving just has to be seen
The breakfast is impressive and should not be missed.
And you've only to open your eyes
Jimmy Newman just needs to wake up and see what's happening around him.
Get up Jimmy Newman my radio's on
The artist's radio is on and it's time for Jimmy to wake up.
The news is all bad but it's good for a laugh
Although the news is bad, it's still a source of entertainment.
The tent flap is loose and the peg must be gone
The tent needs attention as the flap is loose and the peg is missing.
Why do you lie there still sleeping
Asking why Jimmy is still asleep when there is work that needs to be done.
The night nurse is gone and the sexy one's here
The attractive nurse has replaced the night nurse.
And she tells us such beautiful lies
She tells them lovely stories that may not be true.
Her uniform's tight on her marvellous rear
She has a great figure that's highlighted by her tight uniform.
And you've only to open your eyes
Jimmy Newman just needs to wake up and see what's happening around him.
Get up Jimmy Newman you're missing the fun
Jimmy needs to wake up and join the others who are having fun.
We're loading the plane Jim it's time to go home
They're getting ready to leave and go back home.
It's over for us there's no more to be done
They've finished what they needed to do and it's time to head back.
And why do you lie there still sleeping
Asking why Jimmy is still asleep when they need to leave.
It's stateside for us Jim the folks may not know
They're heading back to the USA and their families might not be aware.
We'll let it be such a surprise
It will be a surprise when they arrive home.
They're loading us next Jim we're ready to go
They're getting ready to leave and it's time for Jimmy to wake up.
And you've only to open your eyes
Jimmy Newman just needs to wake up and see what's happening around him.
Get up Jimmy Newman they won't take my word
Others won't believe that Jimmy is still asleep.
I said you sleep hard but they're shaking their heads
The singer tried to defend Jimmy saying that he's a heavy sleeper but others are not convinced.
Get up Jimmy Newman and show them you heard
Jimmy needs to wake up and prove that he's heard what's going on.
Jimmy just show them you're sleeping
They want Jimmy to prove that he's actually sleeping and not just ignoring them.
A joke is a joke but there's nothing to gain
Although it's meant to be a joke, there's no benefit to it.
Jim I'd slap you but I'm too weak to rise
The singer is too weak to get angry with Jimmy.
Get up damn it Jimmy you're missing the plane
Jimmy needs to wake up and get ready to leave.
And you've only to open your eyes.
Jimmy Newman just needs to wake up and see what's happening around him.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: THOMAS R PAXTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mariposahorribilis
So powerful, so painful. Still brings a tear to my eye and goosebumps to my skin after all these years.
Ron Macfarlane
mariposahorribilis always has!
starman1968ful
A timeless song of a wounded veteran anguishing for the loss of his friend and fellow soldier. Great song, Tom Paxton.
Scottish Irish English Traditional Folk Songs🎵
Always loved this song- Sung it round the folk clubs when My world was much younger and still singing it now. Thanks Tom Paxton.
john barnard
the best anti-war song. no preaching or moralizing. just this scene with these two guys... and the nurse.
CaptRB
Amazing song...heartbreaking.
O Palm
I love this.
Matt Boote
Thanks for posting , this was one of dads favourites
Ron Macfarlane
For me the best anti war song
Anthony
Great song