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).
Jack Johnson
Tom Russell Lyrics
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Fought his way around the world with hand, and heart, and soul
So trot out all your Great White Hopes,
But they'd better bring a gun
Jack Johnson's made of iron he's all counter punch and run
Yonder comes Jack Johnson
Like he owns the town
There's a lot of white American's
Like to see that man fall down
Like to see a black man drown
Jack stood on the Titanic pier with a thousand dollar roll
But the captain said,
"Sorry, Boy, we ain't haulin' coal"
So Jack danced the Eagle Rock in a tavern on the shore
While the captain danced his final dance on the Atlantic Ocean floor
Yonder comes Jack Johnson
Like he owns the town
There's a lot of white American's
Like to see that man fall down
Like to see a black man drown
Jack Johnson beat Jim Jeffries, till there weren't nothin' left
And every time he'd throw a punch he'd say,
"Package for Mr. Jeff!"
The he ran off with some white girl, man that made 'em mad
All agreed and all decreed, that Black Man was bad
Yonder comes Jack Johnson Like he owns the town
There's a lot of white American's
Like to see that man fall down
Like to see a black man drown
Well, I stole a line from Lead Belly
I don't think he'd mind 'Cause Lead Belly and Jack,
They were cut from the same vine
The song "Jack Johnson" by Tom Russell tells the story of Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight boxing champion who was born in 1890 in Galveston, Texas. Johnson was known for being an exceptional fighter who travelled around the world to compete against various opponents. The verses of the song depict several moments from Johnson's life. For instance, when he tried to board the Titanic and was denied because of his race and when he beat Jim Jeffries, a former champion, in a significant fight.
However, the choruses of the song highlight the racism that Johnson faced as a black man in a predominantly white society. White Americans wished ill for him and hoped to see him "fall down" and "drown." Yet, Johnson stood tall and confident in his blackness; he "owned the town." The final verse of the song pays tribute to Lead Belly, another black singer who shared similar struggles and expressed them through his music.
Overall, "Jack Johnson" is a powerful tribute to the first black boxing champion who faced a great deal of discrimination and fought hard to assert himself in a white-dominated sport and society.
Line by Line Meaning
He was born in 1890, on the Gulf of Mexico
Jack Johnson was born in 1890 in the coastal area of the Gulf of Mexico.
Fought his way around the world with hand, and heart, and soul
Jack Johnson overcame challenges and obstacles throughout his life through his own strength and determination.
So trot out all your Great White Hopes,
But they'd better bring a gun
Jack Johnson's made of iron he's all counter punch and run
Despite facing strong opposition from white boxers, Jack Johnson was not easy to defeat and would swiftly retaliate any attacks.
Yonder comes Jack Johnson
Like he owns the town
There's a lot of white American's
Like to see that man fall down
Like to see a black man drown
Jack Johnson's success and confidence unsettled some white Americans who wished to maintain their racial superiority and saw him as a threat to their status quo.
Jack stood on the Titanic pier with a thousand dollar roll
But the captain said,
"Sorry, Boy, we ain't haulin' coal"
So Jack danced the Eagle Rock in a tavern on the shore
While the captain danced his final dance on the Atlantic Ocean floor
Jack Johnson was denied passage on the Titanic due to his race, but he did not let this stop him from enjoying his time on shore while the captain ultimately met his demise.
Jack Johnson beat Jim Jeffries, till there weren't nothin' left
And every time he'd throw a punch he'd say,
"Package for Mr. Jeff!"
The he ran off with some white girl, man that made 'em mad
All agreed and all decreed, that Black Man was bad
Jack Johnson's victory against Jim Jeffries caused outrage among white Americans, particularly when they learned of his relationship with a white woman. This led to further racial animosity towards Black individuals.
Well, I stole a line from Lead Belly
I don't think he'd mind 'Cause Lead Belly and Jack,
They were cut from the same vine
Tom Russell draws a parallel between Jack Johnson and blues musician Lead Belly, who embodied the same spirit of resistance against oppression and racial discrimination as Jack Johnson did.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: THOMAS GEORGE RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind