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).
Guadalupe
Tom Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
High up in those ancient trees
Lord, I've given up without a fight
Another blind fool on his knees
And all the Gods that I've abandoned
Begin to speak in simple tongues
Lord, suddenly I've come to know
There are no roads left to run
Now it's the hour of dogs a-barking
That's what the old ones used to say
It's first light or it's sundown
Before the children cease their play
When the mountains glow like mission wine
And turn gray like a Spanish roan
Ten thousand eyes will stop to worship
And turn away and head on home
She is reaching out her arms tonight
Lord, my poverty is real
I pray roses shall rain down on me
From Guadalupe on her hill
But who am I to doubt these mysteries
Cured in centuries of blood and candle smoke
I am the least of all your pilgrims here
I am most in need of hope
She appeared to Juan Diego
She left her image on his cape
Five hundred years of sorrow
Have not destroyed their deepest faith
But here I am your ragged disbeliever
Old doubting Thomas drowns in tears
As I watched your church sink through the earth
Like a heart worn down through fear
She is reaching out her arms tonight
Lord, my poverty is real
I pray roses shall rain down on me
From Guadalupe on her hill
But who am I to doubt these mysteries
Cured in centuries of blood and candle smoke
I am the least of all your pilgrims here
But I am most in need of hope
I am the least of all your pilgrims here
But I am most in need of hope
The lyrics of Tom Russell's song Guadalupe delve into themes of faith, doubt, and hope. The singer begins by acknowledging the ghosts in the rain, feeling defeated and abandoned by the gods he once believed in. However, he begins to hear their voices in a new way, speaking to him in simple tongues, revealing to him that there are no more roads left to run. This somber and reflective mood of the verses is highlighted by the image of the hour of dogs barking, which according to the old ones, happens during the times of transition - at dawn or dusk.
The singer's perspective shifts in the chorus as he sings about the powerful presence of Guadalupe, a powerful figure in the Catholic faith. As the chorus builds, he describes his poverty, both in material and spiritual terms, acknowledging his doubts about the mysteries of faith. But he's still hopeful that Guadalupe will bless him with roses, a symbol of her favor, and the possibility of redemption. The final verse reveals the source of the singer's doubt and fear, as he describes how he watched the church sink through the earth, feeling like his heart was worn down by fear.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a person struggling with their faith, feeling lost and abandoned, yet still holding on to hope and the possibility of redemption. The mention of Guadalupe, who has been venerated by the faithful for centuries, adds a sense of continuity and tradition to the singer's search for meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
There are ghosts out in the rain tonight
The singer senses a haunting presence in the rainy night.
High up in those ancient trees
The ghosts seem to reside in the old trees around the singer.
Lord, I've given up without a fight
The singer has lost hope and surrendered to fate.
Another blind fool on his knees
The artist acknowledges that he is ignorant and helpless.
And all the Gods that I've abandoned
Begin to speak in simple tongues
The artist imagines that the deities he stopped worshiping in the past are trying to communicate with him.
Lord, suddenly I've come to know
There are no roads left to run
The singer realizes that he has no way out of his predicament.
Now it's the hour of dogs a-barking
That's what the old ones used to say
The singer refers to a folk belief that dogs' howling signifies a supernatural occurrence.
It's first light or it's sundown
Before the children cease their play
According to tradition, supernatural events occur during twilight when children are still playing outside.
When the mountains glow like mission wine
And turn gray like a Spanish roan
The artist describes the natural beauty of the landscape in poetic language.
Ten thousand eyes will stop to worship
And turn away and head on home
People are drawn to holy sites, but after a visit, they go back to their mundane lives.
She is reaching out her arms tonight
Lord, my poverty is real
The singer addresses the Virgin of Guadalupe, a symbol of hope and compassion, while confessing his material and spiritual poverty.
I pray roses shall rain down on me
From Guadalupe on her hill
But who am I to doubt these mysteries
Cured in centuries of blood and candle smoke
The artist expresses his desire for a miracle, but also recognizes that his faith is weak compared to the devotion of generations.
I am the least of all your pilgrims here
I am most in need of hope
The singer acknowledges his lowly status among believers, but asserts his emotional and spiritual hunger for salvation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TOM RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind