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).
Somebody's Husband Somebody's Son
Tom Russell Lyrics
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Where a drunk man lay sleepin' in a ragged old tram
And the lines on his face mark a life on the run
Is he somebody's husband, somebody's son?
Well every week the newspaper tells a story of rage
Where the victims lay scattered across the front page
And there's always some loner, on a spree with a gun
From the death rows of prison to the soup kitchen door
Each soul is an equal in the eyes of the Lord
Though hatred consumes them, once they were loved
They were somebody's husband, somebody's son
So out on your journey down the highways of life
Cherish your mother, crave the love of your wife
And forget not the outcast and the homeless were once
Somebody's husband, somebody's son
From the death rows of prison to the soup kitchen door
Each soul is an equal in the eyes of the Lord.
Though hatred consumes them, once they were loved
They were somebody's husband, somebody's son
They were somebody's husband, somebody's son
They were somebody's husband, somebody's son
The lyrics to Tom Russell's song "Somebody's Husband Somebody's Son" speak to the universal human experience of being loved and valued as someone's husband or son, and how easily that value and worth can be stripped away in times of hardship or desperation. The first verse sets the scene for a homeless man sleeping in a hobo camp, marked by the lines on his face that tell the story of a life on the run. The chorus then asks, rhetorically, if this man was somebody's husband or son at some point in his life, highlighting the universality of human relationships and connections that often get overlooked or forgotten in moments of struggle.
The second verse broadens the scope of the song to talk about violent crimes and the "loner on a spree with a gun." The chorus repeats the same question, reminding the listener that even in situations of great tragedy or horror, each person involved was once somebody's family member - somebody's husband or son. The final verse brings the song full circle, emphasizing the importance of valuing and loving those around us, including the outcast and homeless who may have lost their sense of connection to others. The repeated line "they were somebody's husband, somebody's son" drives home the point that each person we encounter is a human being with a story and a history, and deserves to be treated as such.
Overall, the lyrics of "Somebody's Husband Somebody's Son" are a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of all people, especially in times of struggle or hardship. The questions posed by the song are rhetorical, but they invite the listener to reflect on their own connections to others and to recognize the value in each and every human life.
Line by Line Meaning
Out on the freight line there's an old hobo camp
There's a rundown area near the train tracks where hobos reside.
Where a drunk man lay sleepin' in a ragged old tram
There's a man who's down on his luck sleeping in a tattered tram.
And the lines on his face mark a life on the run
The creases on his face show that he's been living a transient lifestyle.
Is he somebody's husband, somebody's son?
He may have family who love and care for him, though he's currently living on the streets.
Well every week the newspaper tells a story of rage
Every week, news outlets report on incidents of violence and aggression.
Where the victims lay scattered across the front page
The horrific details of these events are often splashed across the headlines.
And there's always some loner, on a spree with a gun
These tragedies are often perpetrated by a single individual with a gun who feels isolated and alone.
Is he somebody's husband, somebody's son?
The shooter, no matter how heinous their act, is still somebody's family member.
From the death rows of prison to the soup kitchen door
Even those on death row or struggling to make ends meet are still people with inherent value.
Each soul is an equal in the eyes of the Lord
Regardless of their circumstances, every human being deserves respect and dignity.
Though hatred consumes them, once they were loved
Even those who exhibit or are subjected to hatred at one point had love in their lives.
They were somebody's husband, somebody's son
Everyone, no matter how they ended up in their current circumstances, has loved ones who care deeply for them.
So out on your journey down the highways of life
As you navigate through life's twists and turns,
Cherish your mother, crave the love of your wife
Don't take the love of those closest to you for granted.
And forget not the outcast and the homeless were once
Remember that even those who may be marginalized or forgotten once had love in their lives.
Somebody's husband, somebody's son
They were and are still important to someone, and should be treated as such.
From the death rows of prison to the soup kitchen door
No matter where a person is in life, they still deserve compassion and empathy.
Each soul is an equal in the eyes of the Lord.
No one is inherently better or worse than anyone else, and all are deserving of respect and kindness.
Though hatred consumes them, once they were loved
Even those who are full of hatred were once capable of experiencing and giving love.
They were somebody's husband, somebody's son
Everyone has the capacity to be loved and cared for, and everyone deserves that kind of treatment.
They were somebody's husband, somebody's son
No matter what, each person is important to someone else, and that should never be forgotten.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TOM RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind