In the 1980s Russell made four albums credited to the Tom Russell Band. These featured Andrew Hardin and accordionist Fats Kaplin.
In the 1990s Russell made a number of solo albums, collaborated with blues singer Barrence Whitfield on two albums, and also recorded an acoustic album mixing original material with his favorite cowboy-themed songs. His albums include several guest appearances from other folk, country, and Americana artists, such as Chris Gaffney and Dave Alvin. His song "Outbound Plane", co-written with Nanci Griffith, became a Top Ten country hit for Suzy Bogguss. His most significant album from this period is the 1999 folk opera, The Man From God Knows Where.
His more recent albums include "Blood and Candle Smoke" (2009) and "Mesabi" (2011).
A Bad Half Hour
Tom Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moon is shinin' still and bright,
Cattle all is restin' easy,
But I just can't sleep tonight.
Ain't no cactus in my blankets,
Don't know why they feel so hard-
'Less it's Warblin' Jim a-singing
"Annie Laurie" out on guard.
"Annie Laurie"-wish he'd quit it!
Couldn't sleep now if I tried.
Makes the night seem big and lonesome,
And my throat feels sore inside.
How my Annie used to sing it!
And it sounded good and gay
Nights I drove her home from dances
When the east was turnin' gray.
Yes, "her brow was like the snowdrift"
And her eyes like quiet streams,
"And her face"-I still can see it
Much too frequent in my dreams;
And her hand was soft and trembly
That night beneath the tree,
When I couldn't help but tell her
She was "all the world to me."
But her folks said I was "shif'less,"
"Wild," "unsettled,"-they were right,
For I leaned to punchin' cattle
And I'm at it still tonight.
And she married young Doc Wilkins-
Oh, my Lord, I took it hard!
Wish that fool would quit his singing
"Annie Laurie" out on guard!
"Annie Laurie"-wish he'd quit it!
Couldn't sleep now if I tried.
Makes the night seem big and lonesome,
My throat feels sore inside.
Oh I just can't stand it thinkin'
Of the things that happened then.
Those good times, they're all apast me!
Never seem to come again-
My turn? Sure, I'll come a-runnin'.
Warm me up some coffee, pard-
But I'll stop that fool from singin'
"Annie Laurie" out on guard.
In Tom Russell's song "A Bad Half Hour," the singer begins by painting a picture of restlessness and insomnia in the midst of a peaceful, moonlit night. As he lies in bed, he can't help but think about Warblin' Jim, who is on guard duty and singing the classic Scottish ballad "Annie Laurie." The singer is transported back to memories of his own Annie, with whom he used to dance and sing along to the same song. He remembers how much he loved her and how her family thought he was a "shiftless" cowboy; ultimately, she ended up marrying someone else. His heartache is compounded by the fact that Warblin' Jim's singing now reminds him of what he's lost and can never get back. Despite his pain, the singer remains committed to his life as a cattle puncher and promises to put a stop to Warblin' Jim's singing if it continues to make him feel this way.
One interpretation of the song is that it explores themes of regret and nostalgia, as well as the human tendency to idealize the past. The singer longs for a time when he was happy and in love, and he can't help but be reminded of his losses by the simple act of someone else singing a song. At the same time, he recognizes that he has made choices that have led him away from that life and to his current occupation. The song captures the bittersweet feeling of looking back and realizing that some things can never be reclaimed.
Line by Line Meaning
Wonder why I feel so restless;
I am feeling restless and cannot understand why.
Moon is shinin' still and bright,
The night is peaceful and the moon is shining bright.
Cattle all is restin' easy,
The cattle are resting peacefully.
But I just can't sleep tonight.
Despite the peaceful night, I am unable to sleep.
Ain't no cactus in my blankets,
There are no cactus in my blankets.
Don't know why they feel so hard-
I cannot understand why my blankets feel so hard and uncomfortable.
'Less it's Warblin' Jim a-singing
The singing of Warblin' Jim may be the reason for my discomfort.
Annie Laurie out on guard.
Warblin' Jim is singing 'Annie Laurie' while on guard.
"Annie Laurie"-wish he'd quit it!
I wish that Warblin' Jim would stop singing 'Annie Laurie.'
Couldn't sleep now if I tried.
I am unable to sleep due to Warblin' Jim's singing.
Makes the night seem big and lonesome,
Warblin' Jim's singing makes the night feel empty and lonely.
And my throat feels sore inside.
My throat feels sore due to the emotional impact of Warblin' Jim's singing.
How my Annie used to sing it!
My thoughts turn to how Annie used to sing 'Annie Laurie.'
And it sounded good and gay
It was a happy time when Annie used to sing the song.
Nights I drove her home from dances
I remember driving Annie home from dances.
When the east was turnin' gray.
It was morning when I drove Annie home.
Yes, "her brow was like the snowdrift"
Annie had a beautiful complexion like that of snow.
And her eyes like quiet streams,
Annie had calm and gentle eyes.
"And her face"-I still can see it
I can still vividly remember Annie's face.
Much too frequent in my dreams;
Annie's memory haunts me in my dreams.
And her hand was soft and trembly
Annie had a soft and delicate hand.
That night beneath the tree,
I remember the night when we stood beneath a tree.
When I couldn't help but tell her
I could not hold back my feelings and confessed that she meant everything to me.
She was "all the world to me."
Annie was everything to me.
But her folks said I was "shif'less,"
Annie's family did not approve of me as I was labeled 'shif'less'.
"Wild," "unsettled,"-they were right,
They were correct in their assessment of me being wild and unsettled.
For I leaned to punchin' cattle
I was a cowboy who found work punching cattle.
And I'm at it still tonight.
I am still a cowboy working with cattle.
And she married young Doc Wilkins-
Annie married a man named Doc Wilkins at a young age.
Oh, my Lord, I took it hard!
This news was very difficult for me to accept.
Wish that fool would quit his singing
I wish that Warblin' Jim would stop singing.
"Annie Laurie" out on guard!
He is singing 'Annie Laurie' while on guard duty.
"Annie Laurie"-wish he'd quit it!
I wish that Warblin' Jim would stop singing 'Annie Laurie.'
Couldn't sleep now if I tried.
I am unable to sleep due to Warblin' Jim's singing.
Makes the night seem big and lonesome,
Warblin' Jim's singing makes the night feel empty and lonely.
My throat feels sore inside.
My throat feels sore due to the emotional impact of Warblin' Jim's singing.
Oh I just can't stand it thinkin'
It's unbearable to think of what had happened.
Of the things that happened then.
Memories of the past are difficult for me to bear.
Those good times, they're all apast me!
Those good times of the past are no longer with me.
Never seem to come again-
There is no hope for those good times coming back.
My turn? Sure, I'll come a-runnin'.
I am willing to take my turn to keep watch.
Warm me up some coffee, pard-
I request for some coffee to warm up.
But I'll stop that fool from singin'
I plan to put an end to Warblin' Jim's singing.
"Annie Laurie" out on guard.
On his guard duty, Warblin' Jim is singing 'Annie Laurie'.
Contributed by Sophie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wade Karbs
Great song! Great album! Can you post "Rings of Fire" from this same album?
Dick Varga
don't be a whaaat?
bdwatson1965
Sorry! I meant no offense! I've changed the epithet in the comment now to help protect the Dicks of the world from further abuse. You can still be who you are, just don't steal the song. :-)