By the age of 12 Simpson was playing guitar and banjo. In 1970, Simpson dropped out of college to become a full-time professional musician, touring folk clubs. In 1976 he recorded his first solo album "Golden Vanity". In the same year he opened for Steeleye Span on their UK tour. Teaming up with June Tabor, a folk singer who didn't play an instrument, Simpson toured folk clubs and appeared at festivals. They recorded three albums together, highlighting each other's complementary talents. There was a fluid jazzy feel about their approach to traditional material.
In the 1980s he moved to America, originally to Ithaca, New York then to Santa Cruz and finally New Orleans.
Over the next ten years Simpson became more and more adventurous, playing blues, bluegrass, cajun and even Indian-inflected music. He released a series of albums right through the 1990s, eventually moving back to the UK.
In 2003 he teamed up with June Tabor again. A readers' poll of the magazine "Acoustic Guitar" voted him as number 12 in the world in 2005.
In 2007 Simpson released "Prodigal Son". The 2008 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards voted it as best album. The fRoots critics poll voted it as the 7th best new album of 2007. It is a mixture of traditional songs and Simpson originals, the highlights of which possess a distinctly southern American flavor.
Simpson is now married to Kit Bailey, the daughter of the singer Roy Bailey, with whom Simpson occasionally performs. Martin and Kit now live in Sheffield and have a daughter.
Batchelors Hall
Martin Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see lovers out walking, but I never see mine.
It's cold as a proverb, hard as a stone.
10, 000 stood around me, and me all alone.
Oh I once had a true love, but not anymore.
I gave my heart gladly, like never before.
But now she won't have me, she says we are through.
I'l live single, keep Bachelor's Hall.
I wish I were a poet, and could write a fine hand.
I would write you a fine letter, that you'd understand.
I wish I could spend just 10 minutes with you.
I wish I'd stop wishing for what I can't do.
Oh you wrote me a letter, you say you found a new man.
I'll dance at your wedding, I'll sing with the band.
I'll drink to the bridegroom, as if I don't care.
And if I don't get home, I'll sleep on the stair.
I remember the evening, not so long ago.
How tender the passion, how sweet the repose.
It's 4 in the morning, I won't sleep tonight.
I'll watch through my window, for the dawning of light.
I'm tired of this city, the streets are unkind.
I see lovers out walking, but I never meet mine.
I try to forget her, I wish i knew how.
For I once loved her dearly, and I don't hate her now.
Batchelors Hall by Martin Simpson is a song that deals with heartbreak, loneliness, and the desire to move on amidst a cold and unforgiving city. The first two lines already convey the sense of rejection and isolation felt by the singer, who sees lovers happy while he is left alone in the cold. The use of the word "proverb" to describe the harshness of the city creates a sense of universal wisdom that the singer portrays in his lyrics. In the midst of a large crowd, he is still left alone and left to deal with his heartbreak on his own.
The song's protagonist reminisces about a past love that he once had, giving his heart to her completely. However, she walked away from the relationship, leaving him heartbroken and alone. The lyrics show that he still cares for her, singing that as much as he wants to forget her, he struggles to do so. He wishes he were a poet to express himself and wonders if he'll ever get the chance to reconcile with his ex-lover.
The chorus "I'll live single, keep Bachelor's Hall," conveys the resignation of the singer when it comes to love. He has been hurt before and seems to feel that love is not worth the effort. The song ends with him watching the dawn come up, still alone and trying to move on with his life.
Line by Line Meaning
I am tired of this city, the streets are unkind.
The city is not a welcoming place and I am exhausted by it.
I see lovers out walking, but I never see mine.
I observe couples strolling around, yet my love is nowhere to be found.
It's cold as a proverb, hard as a stone.
The weather is harsh and the environment is unforgiving.
10, 000 stood around me, and me all alone.
There were many people present, but I felt lonely and isolated.
Oh I once had a true love, but not anymore.
I used to have a genuine romantic partner, but that is no longer the case.
I gave my heart gladly, like never before.
I devoted myself to her passionately and without reservation.
But now she won't have me, she says we are through.
She rejected me and declared our relationship finished.
That's alright my darling, that's alright for you.
It's acceptable to you to end things, my dear.
I'l live single, keep Bachelor's Hall.
I will embrace my uncoupled status and dwell alone in my own abode.
I wish I were a poet, and could write a fine hand.
I desire to be a wordsmith who composes beautiful and eloquent writings.
I would write you a fine letter, that you'd understand.
I would pen a thoughtful missive that expresses my emotions and you would comprehend my message.
I wish I could spend just 10 minutes with you.
I yearn for a brief interlude of time with you, no matter how brief.
I wish I'd stop wishing for what I can't do.
I desire to give up my aspirations for scenarios that are impossible.
Oh you wrote me a letter, you say you found a new man.
You corresponded with me and disclosed that you have discovered a new lover.
I'll dance at your wedding, I'll sing with the band.
I will celebrate your nuptials and contribute to the musical entertainment.
I'll drink to the bridegroom, as if I don't care.
I shall toast to the groom as if I am indifferent to this occasion.
And if I don't get home, I'll sleep on the stair.
If I am unable to make it back to my residence, I will make do with whatever resting place is available.
I remember the evening, not so long ago.
I recall an evening that did not transpire very far in the past.
How tender the passion, how sweet the repose.
The affection we shared was affectionate and the rest that ensued was enjoyable.
It's 4 in the morning, I won't sleep tonight.
It is currently four in the morning and I shall not slumber for the remainder of the night.
I'll watch through my window, for the dawning of light.
I shall gaze through my window and anticipate the emergence of daylight.
I'm tired of this city, the streets are unkind.
The city is not a welcoming place and I am exhausted by it.
I see lovers out walking, but I never meet mine.
I observe couples strolling around, yet my love is nowhere to be found.
I try to forget her, I wish i knew how.
I strive to erase her from my mind, but I do not know how to proceed.
For I once loved her dearly, and I don't hate her now.
I once held a great deal of affection for her, and now I do not harbor animosity towards her.
Contributed by Connor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Stratman389
Missing my princess.
@melissapinol7279
How beautiful and incredibly moving the guitar work is fantastic. I know four variants of this song one in the movie "Songcatcher". This is my favorite.
@bobbypackham1826
I really love this track and have wanted to learn it for ages, could I ask what tuning you use for the guitar?
@brunoerckmam5070
I’m pretty sure it’s drop D
@MrPeterlowden
@@brunoerckmam5070 it's DGDGCD....
@hereasafanofallsorts5164
you can buy the TAB on his website
@bobbypackham1826
@@hereasafanofallsorts5164 Thanks, I actually already found it and have learnt the song :)