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).
Old Blue
Tom Russell Lyrics
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Had an old dog and his name was Blue.
Had an old dog and his name was Blue...
Betcha five dollars he's a good dog too...
"Here old Blue"
"Good dog you"
Well, I shouldered my axe and I tooted my horn,
Went to find 'possum in the new-grown corn.
Old Blue treed and I went to see,
Blue had 'possum up a tall oak tree.
Mmm, boy I roast'd 'possum, nice and brown,
Sweet po-ta-toes, n' all a-round...
And to say "Here old Blue (here-boy)
You can have some too"
Now, Old Blue died and he died so hard,
Made a big dent in my back-yard.
Dug his grave with a silver spade,
Lowered him down with a link of chain.
Ev-er-why link I did call his name...
Singing "Hereâ?¦old...Blue-ue...
"Good dog you"
Now, when I get to heaven, first thing I'll do.
When I get to heaven, first thing 'awm do.
When I get to heaven first thing I'll do,
Pull out my horn and call old Blue...
I'll say, "Here Old Blue come-on dog"
"Good dog you."
I'll say, "Here Blue-e"
"I'm a coming there too"
"Down boy... good dog"
Tom Russell's song "Old Blue" is a tribute to a loyal dog who has since passed away. The song begins with Blue's introduction, who happens to be an old dog that the singer values very much. The singer further asserts that Blue is a good dog and gives the audience an opportunity to bet five dollars on whether he is or isn't. The song then delves into a story where the singer takes his ax and horn to search for possum in the new-grown corn. After Blue treed the possum up a long oak tree, the singer roasted it to a crispy brown to enjoy alongside sweet potatoes. He extends an invitation to share his meal with Blue and calls him to come and have some too.
Towards the end of the song, the singer announces that Old Blue has died, and it was a tough loss for him, leaving a big dent in his backyard. He dug his grave with a silver spade and lowered him down with a link of chain and sang out his name with each link. Concluding the song, the singer imagines heaven and the first thing he'll do is pull out his horn and call Old Blue to come. He tells Blue that he'll be right there and encourages him to stay calm by saying "Down boy... good dog."
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I had an old dog and his name was Blue,
I used to have a dog named Blue
Had an old dog and his name was Blue.
I really loved that dog named Blue
Had an old dog and his name was Blue...
Blue was more than just a dog to me
Betcha five dollars he's a good dog too...
I'm so sure Blue was a great dog that I'd bet money on it
"Here old Blue"
I used to call out to Blue like this to get his attention
"Good dog you"
I'd tell Blue he was a good boy when he came to me
Well, I shouldered my axe and I tooted my horn,
I picked up my axe and blew my horn to signal that I was going hunting
Went to find 'possum in the new-grown corn.
My goal was to find a possum in a cornfield
Old Blue treed and I went to see,
Blue chased the possum up a tree and I followed him
Blue had 'possum up a tall oak tree.
The possum was hiding in a tall oak tree and Blue found it
Mmm, boy I roast'd 'possum, nice and brown,
After I caught the possum, I cooked it to a perfect brown color
Sweet po-ta-toes, n' all a-round...
I had some sweet potatoes with the possum for a complete meal
And to say "Here old Blue (here-boy)
I'd share my meal with Blue and call him over like this
You can have some too"
I'd make sure Blue got his share of the food as well
Now, Old Blue died and he died so hard,
Unfortunately, Blue died suddenly and it was hard on me
Made a big dent in my back-yard.
When Blue died, I buried him in my backyard and it left a big hole
Dug his grave with a silver spade,
I wanted to give Blue a proper burial with a silver spade
Lowered him down with a link of chain.
I lowered Blue's body into the grave with a chain
Ev-er-why link I did call his name...
As I lowered Blue's body, I called out his name with every link of the chain
Singing "Here…old…Blue-ue...
I sang to Blue as I buried him, calling out his name like I used to
"Good dog you"
I wanted to let Blue know that he was still a good boy, even in death
Now, when I get to heaven, first thing I'll do.
When I die and go to heaven, the first thing I'll do is look for Blue
When I get to heaven, first thing 'awm do.
Above all else, reuniting with Blue is my top priority in heaven
When I get to heaven first thing I'll do,
I won't waste any time before searching for Blue in heaven
Pull out my horn and call old Blue...
I'll call out to Blue with my horn so he knows I'm looking for him
I'll say, "Here Old Blue come-on dog"
I'll use the same words I always used to call Blue to me
"Good dog you."
Even in heaven, I'll still see Blue as a good dog
I'll say, "Here Blue-e"
I'll keep calling out to Blue until he comes to me in heaven
"I'm a coming there too"
I'll reassure Blue that I'm on my way to him in heaven
"Down boy... good dog"
Finally reunited with Blue, I'll give him orders like I always did, but with love and gratitude
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TOM RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind