Tom Paxton (born Thomas Richard Paxton on October 31, 1937) is an American … Read Full Bio ↴Tom Paxton (born Thomas Richard Paxton on October 31, 1937) is an American singer and writer of folk music whose songs have had enduring appeal (and include modern standards such as "The Last Thing on My Mind") known for a cynical, often political edge. In 2009, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Paxton was born in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest child of Burton and Esther Paxton. The Paxton family moved to Bristow, Oklahoma in 1948, where Tom grew to adulthood and which he still considers home. He attended the University of Oklahoma and majored in drama, developing an interest in folk music.

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.

Peace Will Come
Tom Paxton Lyrics

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Peace,
Peace will,
Peace will come,
And let it begin with me.
We,
We need,
We need peace,
And let it begin with me.

Oh, my own life
Is all I can hope to control.
Oh, let my life,
Be lived for the good,
Good of my soul.
Let it bring peace,
Sweet peace,

Peace will come,
And let it begin with me.

Overall Meaning

Tom Paxton's song "Peace Will Come" is a powerful message of hope, an uplifting call for peace during a time of war. In the first verse, he sings about how peace will come if we allow it to begin with ourselves. The emphasis on the word "me" highlights the importance of individual action in making the world a more peaceful place. The second verse speaks to the universal need for peace and how it is something that humanity craves. Paxton's lyrics discuss how people must take steps on their own to bring about peace, a sentiment that remains relevant today.

The third verse speaks about the power of the individual, encouraging listeners to control their own lives and strive for good. By acting with kindness and compassion, individuals can contribute to the greater good and help promote a more peaceful world. The final line of the song brings everything full circle, reiterating the message that peace must start with the individual, and that it is something we can all work towards together.

Overall, "Peace Will Come" is a simple yet profound song that has resonated with listeners for over five decades. Its message of hope and the power of the individual to make a difference remains as relevant today as it did when the song was first released.

Line by Line Meaning

Peace
The desired state of absence of conflict

Peace will
It is certain that there will be peace

Peace will come
Peace will eventually arrive

And let it begin with me.
The artist is willing to be the catalyst for peace

We
A collective group of people

We need
It is necessary for us to have

We need peace
We require a state of absence of conflict

Oh, my own life
The artist's personal existence

Is all I can hope to control.
The artist cannot control external circumstances, only their own life

Oh, let my life,
The artist desires

Be lived for the good,
To be lived with positive intentions