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).
Winnipeg
Tom Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The broke-down nags with the bandaged legs
At Assinboa Downs?
The night we painted the town A dark, dark blue
Stolen Thunder in Thunder Bay
Woke up knowin' that we came the wrong way
So we turned it all around
To the cold hard sound
To the turnin' of the gears
To the blood hard sound
The turnin' of the years
I was thinkin' of you last night
North of the border in the Northern Lights
One horse town with the Indian name
And all the gentle words
I could never say
Love shines in the night
In the morning it's gone away
Cup of coffee in old Moose Jaw
Used to be the hideout of a bad outlaw
Named Al Capone His fedora on
Walkin' in the snow
We headed west, then it all broke up
Skull-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump
Rockin' and a reelin'
That old buffalo feelin'
Of fallin' through the air
And never really knowin' how the hell
We ended up there
I was thinkin' of you last night
North of the border in the Northern Lights
One horse town with the Indian name
And all the gentle words
I could never say
Love shines in the night
In the morning it's gone away
How's the weather in Winnipeg?
When the ice melts
On the first of May
On those desolate streets
One old Sikh
In a powder blue cab
Is there an Indian name
For the love and trouble we had?
I was thinkin' of you last night
North of the border in the
Northern Lights
One horse town with the Indian name
And all the gentle words
I could never say
Love shines in the night
In the morning it's gone away
The song Winnipeg by Tom Russell is a nostalgic and introspective journey through the memories and experiences of the singer. The opening line, "How's the weather in Winnipeg?" sets the tone for a conversation with someone the singer knows or used to know, someone he is curious about. The next lines draw an image of a rundown race track with injured horses, juxtaposed with memories of painting the town blue and taking the wrong turn, leading to a situation where they had to turn it all around, which may be a metaphor for the singer's own search for direction in his life. The turning of the gears and the passing of years indicate that time has passed, and life has gone on, but the memories remain.
The song then transitions into a reflection on an old love and the Northern Lights they once saw together. The lyrics express regret at the opportunity lost, symbolized by the "gentle words I could never say." The final verse returns to the theme of Winnipeg and the passing of time, as the ice melts, revealing the desolation of the streets. The singer then wonders if there is an Indian name for the love and trouble they had, showing a sense of yearning and nostalgia for the past.
Overall, the song Winnipeg is a poetic exploration of memory, regret, and the passage of time. Through its vivid imagery and introspective lyrics, it evokes a sense of longing for what was lost, coupled with a recognition that life inevitably moves on.
Line by Line Meaning
How's the weather in Winnipeg?
Asking about Winnipeg's weather
The broke-down nags with the bandaged legs
Horses at Assiniboia Downs racetrack in poor condition
At Assinboa Downs?
Questioning location of horses with bandaged legs
The night we painted the town A dark, dark blue
Recollecting a night of wild partying and regret
Stolen Thunder in Thunder Bay
Feeling overshadowed and unimportant in Thunder Bay
Woke up knowin' that we came the wrong way
Realizing a mistake was made
So we turned it all around
Making a decision to change direction
To the cold hard sound
Referring to the music or atmosphere
To the turnin' of the gears
Describing mechanical sounds
To the blood hard sound
Describing intense music or environment
The turnin' of the years
Reflecting on the passing of time
I was thinkin' of you last night
Thoughts of a past love interest
North of the border in the Northern Lights
Location of where thoughts of love interest occurred
One horse town with the Indian name
Describing a small town with a Native American name
And all the gentle words I could never say
Regretting not expressing feelings to love interest
Love shines in the night
Describing the beauty of love
In the morning it's gone away
Feeling like love is fleeting
Cup of coffee in old Moose Jaw
Describing a moment of calm in Moose Jaw
Used to be the hideout of a bad outlaw
Historical fact about Moose Jaw
Named Al Capone His fedora on
References a famous outlaw
Walkin' in the snow
Describing a scene
We headed west, then it all broke up
Describing a sudden end to a journey
Skull-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump
Referencing a historical site for buffalo hunting
Rockin' and a reelin'
Describing movement or atmosphere
That old buffalo feelin'
Nostalgia for hunting days
Of fallin' through the air
Describing a feeling of freefall
And never really knowin' how the hell
Confusion or disorientation
We ended up there
Wondering how a situation came to be
When the ice melts On the first of May
Describing a seasonal change
On those desolate streets
Gloomy or deserted city streets
One old Sikh
Referencing a specific person
In a powder blue cab
Describing the man's mode of transportation
Is there an Indian name
Questioning if there is a Native American name for love and trouble
For the love and trouble we had?
Questioning if a certain emotion has a name
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: THOMAS GEORGE RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind