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).
The Ballad Of Edward Abbey
Tom Russell Lyrics
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In Tom Russell's song Benediction: Edward Abbey, the lyrics are actually a direct quote from the writer, environmentalist, and activist Edward Abbey's book Desert Solitaire. The quote is his personal prayer, known as the "Benedicto," which he addresses to the natural world. The lyrics depict a journey of discovery, inviting the listener to venture into the unknown, to embrace danger, and to explore the most remote and treacherous corners of the earth.
Abbey's prayer reflects his deep reverence for the natural world and his belief in the spiritual power of the wilderness. He celebrates the rugged beauty of the mountains, the meandering grace of the rivers, and the mysterious allure of the forests and deserts. He invokes a sense of wonder and awe, suggesting that there is something deeper and more profound beyond the tangible and the ordinary. The lyrics, therefore, offer a message of hope and inspiration, comforting the listener with the knowledge that, even in the darkest and most challenging moments, there is something extraordinary waiting just around the bend.
Overall, the song is a tribute to Edward Abbey, an outspoken advocate for the protection of wilderness areas and an influential figure in the environmental movement. His legacy has inspired countless artists, activists, and nature-lovers, and Tom Russell's song serves to keep that legacy alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Benedicto: May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.
Wishing you a life full of adventure, may your paths be unpredictable, maybe even a little scary leading to breathtaking sights that leave an indelible mark on your soul.
May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.
Hoping that the peaks and obstacles you face will only make you stronger, overcome them to reach even greater heights.
May your rivers flow without end, meandering through pastoral valleys tinkling with bells, past temples and castles and poets' towers into a dark primeval forest where tigers belch and monkeys howl
Wishing that your journey takes you through diverse landscapes, meandering through serene valleys, passing by historic landmarks, leading you through a wild and untamed forest full of life and sound.
through miasmal and mysterious swamps and down into a desert of red rock, blue mesas, domes and pinnacles and grottos of endless stone
Hoping that even the low and dark valleys of life and difficult deserts will be traversed with the same curiosity and enthusiasm. Never lose sight of the wonder around you.
and down again into a deep vast ancient unknown chasm where bars of sunlight blaze on profiled cliffs, where deer walk across the white sand beaches, where storms come and go as lightning clangs upon the high crags
Imagine reaching the depths of the unknown, where you're surrounded by the forces of nature and where the beauty of life takes on a surreal quality. This is where you'll find a deeper understanding of yourself.
where something strange and more beautiful and more full of wonder than your deepest dreams waits for you beyond the next turning of the canyon walls.
Beyond the next challenge, the next bend in the road or canyon wall, awaits something more beautiful than the imagination can fathom. Keep moving forward, and you'll be rewarded with the extraordinary.
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