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).
It Goes Away
Tom Russell Lyrics
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Out beneath those tough old ancient stars
When I thought I heard old Scottish Mike singing Carrick Fergus
As I recalled those wild days in those loud Norwegian bars
He'd sing, "I'm drunk today and I'm rarely sober,
Like a soldier on the road to Mandalay."
Well the road it gave him wine
He drunk himself to death, I heard today
But we'll sing hallelujah, sing it in the morning
And thank the Lord for giving us one more day
And for the one's that have passed on through
We'll sing this one for you
The road it gives and the road it takes away
My baby said she didn't mind me travelin'
She enjoyed the time alone when I was gone
Til she looked me in the eyes and said it's over
And I saw the anger buried far too long
I picked up my guitar and sang the Dutchman
About two people whose love had seen kinder days
But my baby she was gone,
before the song was sung
Well my music never touched her anyway
But we'll sing hallelujah, sing it in the morning
And thank the Lord for giving us one more day
And for the one's that have passed on through
We'll sing this one for you
The road it gives and the road it takes away
The road it gives and the road it takes away
The road it gives and the road it takes away
Tom Russell’s “The Road It Gives the Road It Takes Away” is a melancholic reflection on life's ups and downs, from the joys of friendship and camaraderie to the pains of love and loss. The singer finds himself wandering on the quiet roads of Ireland, his thoughts drawn to the memory of a musician friend called Scottish Mike. He remembers how they used to sing old ballads like "Carrick Fergus" while drinking and carousing in raucous Norwegian bars. Scottish Mike was a charming fellow, always drunk, and always in good spirits. He was a true soldier on the road of life, relishing every moment, living with abandon. However, the road he chose also led to his demise, as he drank himself to death.
The singer feels a sense of loss for Scottish Mike, but he doesn't wallow in sadness. Instead, he decides to celebrate life in his own way by singing hallelujah and thanking the Lord for another day. He acknowledges that life has its twists and turns, and some of his loved ones have gone to the Great Beyond, but he remains optimistic. He knows that the road will always give and take away, and he embraces this reality with his music.
Later in the song, the singer shares a personal experience of losing his lover. He thought his baby was okay with his traveling since she appreciated the time alone, but one day, she told him it was over. He was caught off guard by her anger, which he sensed had been suppressed for a while. He turned to music as a way of coping, singing "The Dutchman," but it was too late to save the relationship. In hindsight, he realizes that his music never touched her and that their love had seen better days.
Overall, the song is a bittersweet commentary on life, framed by the imagery of the road. It recognizes the joy and pain that we all experience as we travel through life's journey. It suggests that music can offer a form of solace in the face of loss or disappointment. And it reminds us to cherish the moments we have with our loved ones, for the road can take them away at any time.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walking down a quiet road in Ireland
I started wandering through a peaceful region in Ireland
Out beneath those tough old ancient stars
Beneath the sky full of ancient stars
When I thought I heard old Scottish Mike singing Carrick Fergus
I thought I heard the voice of Scottish Mike singing Carrick Fergus
As I recalled those wild days in those loud Norwegian bars
It made me remember the crazy times I had in the noisy Norwegian pubs
He'd sing, "I'm drunk today and I'm rarely sober,
He would sing, 'I'm intoxicated, and I'm scarcely sober
Like a soldier on the road to Mandalay."
Similar to a soldier on the path to Mandalay.'
Well the road it gave him wine
The way provided him with wine
and the women fair and fine
And fair and fine ladies
He drunk himself to death, I heard today
I heard today that he drank himself to death
But we'll sing hallelujah, sing it in the morning
However, we will keep singing in the morning
And thank the Lord for giving us one more day
And thank the Lord for blessing us with another day
And for the one's that have passed on through
And for the ones who have departed
We'll sing this one for you
We will sing this song for you
The road it gives and the road it takes away
The path provides and removes
My baby said she didn't mind me travelin'
My lover told me that she doesn't object to my travels
She enjoyed the time alone when I was gone
She took pleasure in the moments of solitude during my absences
Til she looked me in the eyes and said it's over
She looked me in the eyes and informed me that it was over
And I saw the anger buried far too long
And I recognized the resentment which had been concealed for too long
I picked up my guitar and sang the Dutchman
I grabbed my guitar and played The Dutchman
About two people whose love had seen kinder days
About two people who were once in love
But my baby she was gone,
But my lover had left
before the song was sung
Before I could finish the tune
Well my music never touched her anyway
My music never affected her in any way
The road it gives and the road it takes away
The path provides and removes
The road it gives and the road it takes away
The path provides and removes
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDREW HARDIN, TOM RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind