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).
Beyond the Blues
Tom Russell Lyrics
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Playin' guitar with a rusty old knife
And every line that he's singin' rhymes with the truth
And a promise of something, beyond the blues
You and me, darling, took the long way around
Through the wide open countries and the heart attack towns
To every fork in the road, where we've all got to choose
Between darkness and light out beyond the blues
Beyond the shadows, beyond the rain
Beyond the darkness and all the pain
When you're walkin' in circles with holes in your shoes
Love is the road that leads beyond the blues
Old man on the corner, he's been gone for years
And the guitar and the knife blade are rusty with tears
But there's a song that he left us, we'll never lose
That love is the road that leads beyond the blues
In Tom Russell's song "Beyond the Blues", the lyrics tells a story of an old man on the corner playing his guitar with a rusty old knife, singing about life and every line he sings rhymes with the truth and a promise of something, beyond the blues. The old man singing about life implies someone who has lived through it all and has seen different angles of situations, as the lyrics say, he sings the truth. The rusty old knife that he is playing the guitar with could represent how he has made the best of what he has, despite his situation not being ideal.
The lyrics then go on to talk about the journey of the main characters, the singer, and their partner. They took the long way around through the wide-open countries and heart attack towns, coming to every fork in the road where they had to choose between darkness and light out beyond the blues. This could imply the hardships they have gone through to get where they are now. The lyrics suggest that they both have seen the darkness that life can bring, but they have also seen the light at the end of the tunnel. They know that love is the road that leads beyond the blues, and that as long as they have each other, they can conquer anything.
Overall, the song is about going through hardships in life and coming out on the other side with love as the guiding force to keep moving forward. The old man on the corner symbolizes the wisdom and experience that can be gained from living a long life.
Line by Line Meaning
Old man on the corner, singin' my life
There is an elderly man on the street corner singing a song that connects with my personal experiences and emotions.
Playin' guitar with a rusty old knife
The man is playing the guitar, but it appears worn down and damaged.
And every line that he's singin' rhymes with the truth
The lyrics of the song are honest and relate directly to reality.
And a promise of something, beyond the blues
The song offers hope and the possibility of a future that transcends the sadness and hardship that blues music often represents.
You and me, darling, took the long way around
The artist and their partner have had a difficult journey together.
Through the wide open countries and the heart attack towns
Their journey has taken them through both rural and urban areas, some of which have been extremely dangerous.
To every fork in the road, where we've all got to choose
At various points in their journey, the couple has been faced with difficult decisions that have significant consequences.
Between darkness and light out beyond the blues
The choices the couple has had to make have often put them in situations where they must choose between positivity and negativity.
Beyond the shadows, beyond the rain
There is hope for a better future beyond the obstacles and difficulties they have faced.
Beyond the darkness and all the pain
The artist believes that there is a future that is free from the suffering they have endured.
When you're walkin' in circles with holes in your shoes
When one is lost and struggling, feeling like they're not making any progress in life.
Love is the road that leads beyond the blues
Love is a powerful force that can help people overcome difficult situations and find a future that is brighter and more fulfilling.
Old man on the corner, he's been gone for years
The man singing on the street corner has been absent for a long period of time.
And the guitar and the knife blade are rusty with tears
The guitar and the knife he used to play music with are old and dilapidated, almost as if they've been mourning his absence.
But there's a song that he left us, we'll never lose
Even though the man is gone, his music and message of hope will always remain with us.
That love is the road that leads beyond the blues
Ultimately, the artist believes that love and hope are essential for navigating life's challenges and finding a way towards a more fulfilling future.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: BOB NEUWIRTH, PETER CASE, TOM RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind