Tom Russell (born in Los Angeles in either 1947 or 1948) is an American sin… Read Full Bio ↴Tom Russell (born in Los Angeles in either 1947 or 1948) is an American singer-songwriter from California, currently living in El Paso, Texas. His music incorporates elements of folk, traditional country & western, border and cowboy music of the American West. Russell's songs have been recorded by artists such as Johnny Cash, Ian Tyson, Nanci Griffith, Dave Alvin and others. In addition to his music, he is also an artist and published author.

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 Rose of San Joaquin
Tom Russell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Farewell to the lights of Madera, I'm leaving with the wind at my back
Tell all of my friends in Dos Palos, I'm gone but I'll be circling back
Now I'm crossing the Chowchilia River
By the light of a ragged moonbeam
Lord I'll miss the Rose of San Joaquin

I'll miss the sun on the Sierra Nevadas, adobe moon on the rise
Shining down on my love in Madera, shining into her dark Spanish eyes

Oh she taught me those Mexican love songs
"Volver, Volver" in my dreams
And I miss the Rose of San Joaquin
Caught somewhere between
The road and the Rose of San Joaquin

Oh her black hair fell on the blanket in the tall grass we with the dew
Making love through the night by the river
Oh Magdalene how my heart cries for you
Alone on this highway of darkness
You are the light of my dreams
And I miss the Rose of San Joaquin

Caught somewhere between
The road and the Rose of San Joaquin

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tom Russell's "The Rose of San Joaquin" tells a story of a man saying goodbye to his home and loved ones as he leaves on a journey. He mentions leaving with the wind at his back, suggesting that he is not leaving his home out of despair but possibly to seek new opportunities and experiences. The next line about circling back to his friends in Dos Palos also hints towards the fact that his journey might not be permanent but a temporary absence. As he crosses the Chowchilia River, the imagery of the ragged moonbeam highlights the melancholic mood of the song. He sings about missing the Rose of San Joaquin, which he might be referring to as a symbol of his hometown and everything he has left behind.

The following verses reveal that the man's true pain lies in leaving his lover behind. He reminisces about the Sierra Nevadas and the moon rising above them, not for their beauty but what they represent to him. He describes her dark Spanish eyes and how she taught him Mexican love songs like "Volver, Volver." The reference to "caught somewhere between the road and the Rose of San Joaquin" tells us that the man is torn between two worlds - the desire to explore new things and the fear of missing out on the love and memories he shared with his loved ones. The last verse portrays the most poignant imagery of the song as the man recounts making love to his lover through the night by the river, with her black hair falling on the blanket. He concludes by saying, "Alone on this highway of darkness, you are the light of my dreams, and I miss the Rose of San Joaquin." Thus, the song is a melancholic tribute to leaving behind one's home and loved ones, especially one's partner, to pursue new adventures.

Line by Line Meaning

Farewell to the lights of Madera, I'm leaving with the wind at my back
Saying goodbye to the city lights of Madera as I depart with a promise to return.

Tell all of my friends in Dos Palos, I'm gone but I'll be circling back
Informing my friends from Dos Palos that I am leaving, but with an intention to return later.

Now I'm crossing the Chowchilia River By the light of a ragged moonbeam Lord I'll miss the Rose of San Joaquin
As I journey across Chowchilla River, bathed in the light of a tattered moonbeam, I remember and mourn the loss of my love, the Rose of San Joaquin.

I'll miss the sun on the Sierra Nevadas, adobe moon on the rise Shining down on my love in Madera, shining into her dark Spanish eyes
I will miss the beautiful sunrise on the Sierra Nevadas and the gorgeous adobe moon that rises, illuminating and highlighting the beauty in my lover from Madera's dark Spanish eyes.

Oh she taught me those Mexican love songs "Volver, Volver" in my dreams And I miss the Rose of San Joaquin Caught somewhere between The road and the Rose of San Joaquin
My love taught me the charming and lovely Mexican love songs, with "Volver, Volver" still echoing in my dreams. I am left with an itch in my heart for my love, the Rose of San Joaquin, as I remain stuck between journeying on the road and staying with her in San Joaquin.

Oh her black hair fell on the blanket in the tall grass we with the dew Making love through the night by the river Oh Magdalene how my heart cries for you
I remember making passionate love with my love, Magdalene, as her long, dark locks of hair fell upon the dewey blanket in the tall grass. My heart now aches for you, Magdalene.

Alone on this highway of darkness You are the light of my dreams And I miss the Rose of San Joaquin Caught somewhere between The road and the Rose of San Joaquin
As I journey alone on this dark highway, I am reminded that my love, the Rose of San Joaquin, is my guiding light, existing only in my dreams, as I remain stranded between my journey and my intense desire for her presence.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: IAN TYSON, TOM RUSSELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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