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 John Bull Tin
Tom Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He said it saved him from a bullet once - but I did not believe
He was just an old man in the park, half drunk on rum
As he rolled another smoke and closed the John Bull Tin
He said,"I've carried that since 1931."
Rubbed and worn shiny silver - blue letters chipped away
He had one religious medal that he carried near his heart
But his pride and joy was that old John Bull Tin
He said, "it used to be a tyre-patch kit but that was long ago...
It's memories and tobacco now, my friend.
Ya know some folks need a magic lamp to conjure up their dreams
But mine are kept inside the John Bull tin."
Rubbed and worn shiny silver - blue letters chipped away
Old memories and tobacco fit within
He had one religious medal that he carried near his heart
But his pride and joy was that old John Bull Tin
I found it lyin' in the grass,
in a park near Shepherd's Bush
I never saw that old man again
I guess he rolled his final smoke and went to his reward
Why else would he have dropped the John Bull Tin?
Rubbed and worn shiny silver - blue letters chipped away
Old memories and tobacco fit within
He had one religious medal that he carried near his heart
But his pride and joy was that old John Bull Tin
His pride and joy was that old John Bull Tin
His pride and joy was that old John Bull Tin
The song, The John Bull Tin by Tom Russell, tells the story of an old man in a park who treasures an old John Bull Tin that he has carried with him since 1931. The tin, which was originally a tyre-patch kit, now holds the old man's memories and tobacco. He claims that the tin once saved him from a bullet, though his credibility is questionable as he is half drunk on rum. The old man treasures the tin above all else, even if it may seem insignificant to others. He says that some people need a magic lamp to conjure up their dreams, but his dreams are kept inside the John Bull Tin.
The John Bull Tin is a vivid depiction of the idea that material objects hold a deep meaning and value to people. The old man's John Bull Tin holds all of his memories and seems to be the only thing he cares about, other than his cigar; this reflects how much stock humans place on things, especially when it has sentimental value.
Overall, The John Bull Tin is a song that speaks to the emotional attachment humans have to material objects. It shows how even a simple tin can mean everything to someone and how it is important to respect those attachments.
Line by Line Meaning
He said his pride and joy was that old John Bull Tin.
He cherished that old John Bull Tin more than anything else.
He said it saved him from a bullet once - but I did not believe
He claimed that the John Bull Tin had once protected him from a bullet, but the listener was skeptical.
He was just an old man in the park, half drunk on rum
The man telling the story encountered an elderly man who was intoxicated in the park.
As he rolled another smoke and closed the John Bull Tin
The old man rolled a cigarette and shut the lid of the John Bull Tin.
He said,"I've carried that since 1931."
The old man claimed to have carried the John Bull Tin since 1931.
Rubbed and worn shiny silver - blue letters chipped away
The John Bull Tin was made of silver and had become shiny from being used so much, with the blue lettering on it worn away.
Old memories and tobacco fit within
The tin held memories of the old man's past as well as his tobacco.
He had one religious medal that he carried near his heart
The old man kept a religious medal close to his chest.
But his pride and joy was that old John Bull Tin
Despite having a religious medal, the old man's true pride and joy was the John Bull Tin.
"It used to be a tyre-patch kit but that was long ago...
The John Bull Tin had previously been used as a kit to repair tires but was now used to store the old man's memories.
It's memories and tobacco now, my friend.
The tin now held the old man's memories and his tobacco.
Ya know some folks need a magic lamp to conjure up their dreams
Some people require a magic lamp to visualize their dreams.
But mine are kept inside the John Bull tin.
The old man found his dreams and cherished memories within the John Bull Tin.
I found it lyin' in the grass,
in a park near Shepherd's Bush
The singer discovered the John Bull Tin in the grass at a park near Shepherd's Bush.
I never saw that old man again
The singer never encountered the old man again.
I guess he rolled his final smoke and went to his reward
The artist presumed that the old man had passed away after rolling his final cigarette.
Why else would he have dropped the John Bull Tin?
The artist questioned why the old man would have dropped the John Bull Tin if he were still alive.
His pride and joy was that old John Bull Tin
The old man's source of pride and joy was truly the John Bull Tin.
Contributed by Tyler R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.