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).
Sonora's Death Row
Tom Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For the boys from the old Broken O
Saturday nights in the town of Sonora
Are the best in all Mexico
They've got guitars and trumpets and sweet senoritas
Who won't want to let you go
You'd never believe such a gay happy town
Had a street named Sonora's Death Row
Well inside Amanda's we were all dancin'
With all of Amanda's gals
I won some silver at seven card stud
So I was outdoin' my pals
But the whiskey and mezcal and peso cigars
Drove me outside for some air
Where somebody whispered "Your life or your money"
I reached but my gun wasn't there
I woke up face down in Amanda's back alley
Aware of the fool I had been
I rushed to my pony, I grabbed my Winchester
And I entered Amanda's Again
Where I saw my partners twirlin' my pistols
And throwin' my money Around
Blinded by rage, I pulled the trigger
And one of them fell to the ground
Well Amanda's grew silent like night in the desert
My friends stared in pure disbelief
Amanda was kneeling beside the dead cowboy
Plainly expressing her grief
And as I bowed my head, a tremble shot through me
My six-gun was there at my side
I felt in my pockets and there was my money
I fell to my knees and I cried
For a nightmare of mezcal was all that it was
No one had robbed me at all
I wish I was dreamin' the sound of the gallows
They're testin' just outside the walls
And the mezcal's still free in Amanda's saloon
For the boys from the old Broken O
And I'd give a ransom to drink there today
And be free of Sonora's Death Row
Yeah I'd give a ransom to drink there today
And be free of Sonora's Death Row
The song "Sonora's Death Row" by Tom Russell tells a story about a man who visits the town of Sonora and goes to Amanda's saloon on a Saturday night. The man enjoys the free mezcal and the lively atmosphere of this happy town, but everything changes when he steps outside to get some air. Someone threatens him and demands his money and life, but he realizes he left his gun inside the saloon. To his surprise, when he returns to the saloon, his friends have taken his guns and money. Blinded by rage, he pulls the trigger and kills one of his friends.
This song is about the fragility of life and how easily one can lose it in a moment of anger. It also touches on the themes of regret and nostalgia and how we often romanticize the past. The man in the song wishes he could go back to the happier times in Amanda's saloon before he ended up on Sonora's Death Row.
Overall, "Sonora's Death Row" is a poignant narrative about life's unpredictability and the devastating consequences of making impulsive decisions.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the Mezcal is free in Amanda's saloon
Alcoholic drink is offered free in Amanda's saloon
For the boys from the old Broken O
Offered to men from the old Broken O
Saturday nights in the town of Sonora
Saturday nights in Sonora
Are the best in all Mexico
Considered the best in Mexico
They've got guitars and trumpets and sweet senoritas
There are guitars, trumpets, and attractive women
Who won't want to let you go
Women will make you stay with them
You'd never believe such a gay happy town
The town appears to be happy and lively
Had a street named Sonora's Death Row
There is a street named Sonora's Death Row in the town
Well inside Amanda's we were all dancin'
Everyone was dancing inside Amanda's saloon
With all of Amanda's gals
With all the women working for Amanda
I won some silver at seven card stud
I won some money playing seven card stud
So I was outdoin' my pals
I was doing better than my friends
But the whiskey and mezcal and peso cigars
Drinks and cigars drove me outside for fresh air
Drove me outside for some air
I went outside for fresh air
Where somebody whispered "Your life or your money"
Someone secretly threatened me
I reached but my gun wasn't there
I tried to reach for my gun, but it was missing
I woke up face down in Amanda's back alley
I woke up lying on the ground in Amanda's back alley
Aware of the fool I had been
I realized how foolish I had been
I rushed to my pony, I grabbed my Winchester
I quickly went to get my horse and Winchester rifle
And I entered Amanda's Again
I went back into Amanda's saloon
Where I saw my partners twirlin' my pistols
I saw my friends playing with my pistols
And throwin' my money Around
They were also throwing my money around
Blinded by rage, I pulled the trigger
I was overwhelmed by anger and shot someone
And one of them fell to the ground
My shot killed one of my friends
Well Amanda's grew silent like night in the desert
The saloon became very quiet
My friends stared in pure disbelief
My friends were shocked and could not believe what happened
Amanda was kneeling beside the dead cowboy
Amanda was beside the cowboy that I killed
Plainly expressing her grief
Amanda was clearly showing her sadness
And as I bowed my head, a tremble shot through me
I felt a shiver run through my body as I lowered my head
My six-gun was there at my side
My gun was actually with me
I felt in my pockets and there was my money
I realized that my money was in my pockets
I fell to my knees and I cried
I felt regret for my actions and cried
For a nightmare of mezcal was all that it was
The strange event was just a bad dream caused by mezcal
No one had robbed me at all
I was not actually robbed
I wish I was dreamin' the sound of the gallows
I hope the sound of gallows was also part of the nightmare
They're testin' just outside the walls
The gallows are being tested outside the saloon
And the mezcal's still free in Amanda's saloon
The free mezcal is still available in Amanda's saloon
And I'd give a ransom to drink there today
I would pay a lot of money to drink and be in the saloon again
And be free of Sonora's Death Row
And not have to face the consequences of my actions
Yeah I'd give a ransom to drink there today
I would pay a lot of money to drink and be in the saloon again (repeated)
And be free of Sonora's Death Row
And not have to face the consequences of my actions (repeated)
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: KEVIN BLACKIE FARRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marianne
No doubt Tom Russell is one of the finest songwriters of our time. Right there along with Gordon Lightfoot. At this time and the wine I'm drinking doesn't much matter most who wrote what. I am impressed and inspired deeply by the song writing abilities of both.
David Towle
+geez louise This song was written by Kevin Blackie Farrell
Marianne
You are correct. pardon me.
patrick mcevers
I’ve listened to Michael Martin Murphy sing this hundreds of times. I’ve heard others try. I think this man sings it as well as Michael and is not trying to sound like Michael. Hats off to you
robert boydston
I like this version the best....but why would he try to sound like another singer just doing an old cowboy song? This was written by Robert Earl Keen
KENT WHITEAKER JPD.
ARIELARIZONA
I have becomr enamoured, enchanted with Tom's incredible near euridite lyrics. I literally love this guy what a songwriter-indeed!
milkleg1
What a great story teller.
Mark Seeger
Agree!
EGCblackknight
I had this album on cassette, but lost it. Could you tell me the name. thanks
donna nash
I had it also on an album but it was a band called the moonlighters.. I've never found anything by them here