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Winnipeg
Tom Russell Lyrics


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How's the weather in Winnipeg?
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

Overall Meaning

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
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