“So here’s to you my ramblin’ boy
May all your rambles bring you joy.”-Tom Paxton
Songwriter/Folksinger/Activist…Tom Paxton was born today in 1937 in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Paxton is one of my favorite folksingers and I loved singing, “Last Thing On My Mind,” and so many other gems throughout the years. His creativity has given us serious songs about world events; songs about love, especially for his wife of over 45 years, Midge; fun songs for children and sing-alongs. It’s nice to know he’s still a troubadour and still out there touring with his trademark fisherman’s cap and moustache. Here’s to You, Tom Paxton, Happy 76th Birthday and May You Enjoy Many More Years of Ramblin’ Around The World singing your songs.
“In describing Tom Paxton’s influence on his fellow musicians, Pete Seeger has said: “Tom’s songs have a way of sneaking up on you. You find yourself humming them, whistling them, and singing a verse to a friend. Like the songs of Woody Guthrie, they’re becoming part of America.” Pete goes on: “In a small village near Calcutta, in 1998, a villager who could not speak English sang me What Did You Learn In School Today? in Bengali! Tom Paxton’s songs are reaching around the world more than he is, or any of us could have realized. Keep on, Tom!”–citywinery
Ilene On Words 
Love Tom Paxton, thank you Ilene! His range is so great, from slapstick hilarious pieces through gentle love songs to a few that still make me cry, such as “Jimmy Newman” and “Born on the Fourth of July”.
I just put together a CD of Tom’s music for a friend, delighted to find so much of his vast back catalog as downloads now. Somehow, there has just never been enough money for all the music I like, (I either love music too much, or I’m just too damn poor … possibly both), so I didn’t already have everything. It was such fun discovering songs I’d forgotten, or had totally missed along the way — like the Halloween-worthy funny/scary one for kids of all ages, “The Pizza That Ate Chicago”. Youtube doesn’t seem to have it, sadly enough.
… With a telltale whiff of garlic, all Chicago disappeared …
Triple cheese! … Extra sausage! … No anchovy!
Darn, I’m making myself hungry. – Linda
Yes, Tom’s songs have quite an emotional range. Your friend will love the CD, how nice of you to do that. It is time-consuming!!! You made me hungry, too!
Hi Ilene, I think you’ll probably know this already but I think you have a mighty fine taste in music. I started listening to Tom Paxton when I got into playing the guitar and “The Last Thing On My Mind” was one of the first ever songs that I learnt on guitar. He has a beautiful honest voice and a beautiful gift with melody and add to that what I always thought were intelligent lyrics. Only last week I was looking for “Where All Going To The Zoo Tomorrow” to put on my blog but I couldn’t find his version.
But this will do instead, thanks for this post and happy birthday to Tom.
Thank you, Mark…I think we both have great taste in music! Besides having such a beautiful voice and the talent to write beautiful songs, Tom Paxton seems like a really nice person.
Nice post. Tom is a national treasure for sure.
Lovely reminder of such a classic folksinger… You did him justice.
Thanks so much and thanks for visiting!!! You’re right, he is a classic!
Wow, this is great. And I love the Clancy Brothers!
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting!