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).
Hallie Lonnigan
Tom Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
for better or for worse so said the Reverend Dr. Stone
but the better times are all used up and the worse times took control
then drinking took my Walter may the lord protect his soul
along with two young kids to raise out on the western plains
my children harmonized with wolves and sang just like the rain
but haulin hay and water were the desperate daily facts
and the years have carved their memories in the muscles of my back
Hallie Lonnigan will tell these truths to you
hard times the only times I ever new
hard luck's the only horse I ever drew
hard work's the only way I made it through
then I married for convenience sake a trader from in town
a blacksmith named Charlie Hawk who'd court me on his rounds
but he'd paw me like a wolverine and there's cheatin' in his blood
he fell upon my butcher knife and crawled off through the mud
well no one was the wiser when ol Charlie disappeared
and me and them poor children never shed one single tear
we can run this place on our own don't need no drunks or cheats
and the men they step aside now when I walk down market street
Hallie Lonnigan will tell these truths to you
hard times the only times I ever new
hard luck's the only horse I ever drew
hard work's the only way I made it through
this land was conquered by brave men your history books will say
proud men upon fast horses drove the indian away
my name is Hallie Lonnigan I'll have you all to know
that the secret of your history is in a workin woman's soul
Hallie Lonnigan will tell these truths to you
hard times the only times I ever new
hard luck's the only horse I ever drew
hard work's the only way I made it through
hard work's the only way I made it through
The song "Hallie Lonnigan" by Tom Russell tells the story of a woman who has endured a life full of hardships and struggles. Hallie Lonnigan married Walter Jones, but their happy times were short-lived as Walter's drinking took over and he passed away. Hallie had two young children to raise on her own in the Western plains, where daily tasks such as hauling hay and water were a constant struggle. She highlights the fact that hard times were the only times she ever knew.
In an effort to make ends meet, Hallie then married for convenience rather than love. Charlie Hawk was a blacksmith and was abusive towards her. One day, he attacked her, but she was able to fight back using her butcher knife. She then realized that she and her children would be able to run the place on their own and that they didn't need any drunks or cheats. The song ends with Hallie proclaiming that the true secret of history lies in a working woman's soul.
The lyrics of this song illustrate the difficult life that women, particularly those who lived in rural areas, endured during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It speaks of the challenges of being a single mother, the harsh realities of life on the plains, and the enduring strength and resilience of women who had to fight tooth and nail to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
My name is Hallie Lonnigan I married Walter Jones
I am Hallie Lonnigan, and I got married to Walter Jones.
for better or for worse so said the Reverend Dr. Stone
During our wedding, Reverend Dr. Stone said that we will be together in good and bad times.
but the better times are all used up and the worse times took control
Unfortunately, we have gone through all the good times, and the bad times took over.
then drinking took my Walter may the lord protect his soul
Walter started drinking and eventually passed away. May the lord keep his soul protected.
along with two young kids to raise out on the western plains
I had to raise my two young kids on the western plains.
my children harmonized with wolves and sang just like the rain
My kids learned to harmonize with the wolves and sing like the rain.
but haulin hay and water were the desperate daily facts
My daily life included hauling hay and water, which was desperate and challenging.
and the years have carved their memories in the muscles of my back
The years of hard labor have left their memories in the form of muscle pain on my back.
then I married for convenience sake a trader from in town
For convenience, I got married to a trader from town named Charlie Hawk.
a blacksmith named Charlie Hawk who'd court me on his rounds
Charlie Hawk, who worked as a blacksmith, would visit me while he was on his rounds.
but he'd paw me like a wolverine and there's cheatin' in his blood
Unfortunately, Charlie would act like a wolverine and had a history of cheating.
he fell upon my butcher knife and crawled off through the mud
Charlie got into a physical confrontation with me, and I ended up using my butcher knife, and he crawled away in pain.
well no one was the wiser when ol Charlie disappeared
No one realized what happened when Charlie disappeared.
and me and them poor children never shed one single tear
My kids and I did not cry when Charlie left.
we can run this place on our own don't need no drunks or cheats
My children and I are capable of running this place on our own and do not need any drunks or cheats around.
and the men they step aside now when I walk down market street
People have started to respect me and my abilities, and the men step aside when I walk down the market street.
this land was conquered by brave men your history books will say
The history books say that this land was conquered by brave men.
proud men upon fast horses drove the indian away
Proud men on fast horses took control and drove away the Native Americans from this land.
my name is Hallie Lonnigan I'll have you all to know
My name is Hallie Lonnigan, and I want everyone to know about me.
that the secret of your history is in a workin woman's soul
The hidden truth of this land's history lies in the working woman's soul, like me.
Hallie Lonnigan will tell these truths to you
I, Hallie Lonnigan, will tell you the truth.
hard times the only times I ever new
The only times I have ever known are the difficult ones.
hard luck's the only horse I ever drew
I have only ever experienced bad luck.
hard work's the only way I made it through
The only way I have managed to survive is through hard work.
hard work's the only way I made it through
The only way I have managed to survive is through hard work.
Contributed by Landon C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.