Thompson began her singing career in the 1960s, doing advertising jingles for money and singing in folk clubs for enjoyment. She changed her name to Linda Peters, and was romantically linked to Martin Carthy before working with Richard Thompson, whom she married in 1972.
As part of Richard & Linda Thompson, she sang on a string of critically acclaimed albums until a bitter split in 1982. After battling voice problems over the years since, she resurfaced with a solo album in 1996, and has subsequently worked sporadically. Linda and Richard's children Teddy Thompson and Kamila Thompson are both musicians.
In 2007, Thompson released another set of original songs and covers, "Versatile Heart". Like her 2002 album "Fashionably Late", this too was primarily a collaboration with son Teddy Thompson, together with a supporting cast of family and friends.
Her fourth solo album, Won't Be Long Now, was released on 15 October 2013. The album features compositions and backing vocals from Teddy Thompson and his sisters as well as guitar work by Richard Thompson.
Katy Cruel
Linda Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
they called me the roving jewel.
Now I've settled down,
they call my Katy Cruel.
Hi-fiddle-la-lih-day
Hi-fil-it-ful-fi-do-day
Oh, that I was where I would be,
then I would be where I'm not.
Where I would be, I cannot.
Hi-fiddle-la-lih-day
Hi-fil-it-ful-fi-do-day
First when I came to town,
they brought me bottles plenty.
Now that I've settled down,
they bring me the bottles empty.
Hi-fiddle-la-lih-day
Hi-fil-it-ful-fi-do-day
I'll dye my petticoats red
and face them with the yellow.
I'll tell all the boys,
my own heart I will follow.
Hi-fiddle-la-lih-day
Hi-fil-it-ful-fi-do-day
I know who I love,
and I know who does love me.
I know where I'm goin'
and I know who's goin' with me.
Hi-fiddle-la-lih-day
Hi-fil-it-ful-fi-do-day
Oh, down the road I go
and through the boggy mire,
straight way through the field,
and to my heart's desire.
Hi-fiddle-la-lih-day
Hi-fil-it-ful-fi-do-day
In Linda Thompson's song "Katy Cruel," the singer reflects on her journey from being a wandering, sought-after beauty to being settled down and known by a cruel nickname. The lyrics express a wistful desire to be in a different place than one currently is, reminiscing on the past and uncertain about the present. However, the singer also shows determination and self-assurance in choosing her own path and following her heart. The repeated refrain of "Hi-fiddle-la-lih-day" adds a sense of playfulness and whimsy to the lyrics, while the use of traditional folk music elements creates a connection to the song's roots and history.
The line "they called me the roving jewel" suggests that the singer was once seen as a prized possession, perhaps one to be won or obtained. However, settling down has caused her to be labeled as "Katy Cruel," which might suggest a certain harshness or aloofness that comes with domestication. The line "I know who I love, and I know who does love me" is particularly powerful, as it shows a clear sense of self-awareness and confidence in one's own relationships and desires.
As for the historical and cultural context of the song, "Katy Cruel" is a traditional Scottish ballad that has been passed down for generations. Linda Thompson's version of the song adds her own interpretation and style to the lyrics and melody. The song has been covered by a number of other artists, including Karen Dalton, who performed a haunting, stripped-down interpretation of the song that emphasized its melancholy and mournful aspects.
Line by Line Meaning
First when I came to town, they called me the roving jewel.
When I first arrived in town, people talked about how precious of a gem I was and how I was always on the move.
Now I've settled down, they call my Katy Cruel.
But now that I'm settled in one place, they give me the nickname 'Katy Cruel.'
Oh, that I was where I would be, then I would be where I'm not. Here I am, where I must be. Where I would be, I cannot.
I wish I could be in the place I want to be, but instead I'm in the place where I'm needed. Unfortunately, I can't be in both places at once.
First when I came to town, they brought me bottles plenty. Now that I've settled down, they bring me the bottles empty.
When I first arrived, people gave me plenty of gifts and hospitality. Now that I've stayed put, the same people bring me nothing but empty bottles.
I'll dye my petticoats red and face them with the yellow. I'll tell all the boys, my own heart I will follow.
I'll wear bright red with a yellow accent to catch the attention of all the boys. And in the end, I'll follow my own heart to choose who to love.
I know who I love, and I know who does love me. I know where I'm goin' and I know who's goin' with me.
I know who I love and who loves me in return. I know where I'm headed and who will be by my side.
Oh, down the road I go and through the boggy mire, straight way through the field, and to my heart's desire.
I go down the road, even through the toughest challenges, straight through the obstacles, and towards what I really want in life.
Writer(s): John Doyle, Linda Thompson
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
H Larsen
One of my absolute favorites for years <3 thank you for the upload.
eshiffer
What a groove. And what a lyric.
Dan D. Dirges
Such a great song! I like this version!
moonbeamchaos
Ah, haven't heard the version I originally learned in...well, over 40 years. That's close enough. This is a great song, and I love Linda's voice. Is that Richard playing? I'm not familiar with this album.
David Andrews
It's John Doyle.
actualityfilms
Very nice version. Very medieval!
Alissa Reminiec
actualityfilms. Katy Cruel dates back to the Revolutionary War !
Clusterfrog
Fucking sick, busting out some mad folk shit all up in this place innit blud
JHN
Excellent.... I Fallit Fi Do day....
Ken Mcdougall
American folk song probably of Scottish origin about a witch moving into town.