He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
Bank Vault in Heaven
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every day I get richer, add a little bit more
Come you tellers and lenders and lend me some more
Got a bank vault in heaven and it's mine for evermore
And the angels sing "Fly, fly, fly"
The angels sing "Fly, fly, fly"
Fly from the darkness that covers you all
Going to shine down from heaven right into your room
Take the minds of your children right off to the moon
Every mud hut and igloo, every penthouse and farm
I'll shine down from heaven and I'll do my snake-charm
And the angels say "Sing, sing, sing", "Sing, sing, sing"
Oh the whole world is singing the same happy tune
Something so low even hound dogs can croon to insanity, insanity
Oh there's a signpost in heaven, in the firmament blue
You can run to the wastelands, but it points straight at you
I've got a bank vault in heaven, what joy will it bring
All you Punchs and Judys, I'll be pulling your strings
The song "Bank Vault in Heaven" by Richard Thompson tells of a man who believes he has a bank vault in heaven with his name on the door. He feels like he gets richer every day and adds a little more to his vault. He invites tellers and lenders to come lend him more, and he is confident that his bank vault is his forever.
As the angels sing "Fly, fly, fly", he imagines himself flying from the darkness that covers him into the sky where there is only infinity. He believes he will shine down from heaven right into people's rooms and take the minds of their children off to the moon. He thinks he can bring joy to people's lives, whether they live in a mud hut, an igloo, a penthouse, or a farm.
However, the last verse of the song suggests a darker side to the man's beliefs. He says there is a signpost in heaven, and it points straight at people. He sees himself as a puppeteer, with all the Punchs and Judys under his control. He believes he can pull their strings, and they will dance to his tune.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a man whose beliefs are disconnected from reality. He imagines himself as a powerful figure with a bank vault in heaven, but his ideas also suggest a desire for control over others.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a bank vault in heaven, got my name on the door
I am confident that I have a secure place in heaven, where I am free to store all of my riches and valuables.
Every day I get richer, add a little bit more
As each day passes, I continue to accumulate wealth and prosperity that I can store in my bank vault in heaven.
Come you tellers and lenders and lend me some more
I am calling upon those who have the power to provide me with more wealth and material possessions, urging them to give me even more to store in my bank vault.
Got a bank vault in heaven and it's mine for evermore
I am secure in the knowledge that my bank vault in heaven will always be mine, and that I can continue to store wealth there for eternity.
And the angels sing "Fly, fly, fly"
The angels urge me to transcend earthly limitations and strive for greater spiritual heights, as represented by the act of flying.
Fly from the darkness that covers you all
I must rise above the darkness that pervades the world and find my way towards the light and purity of heaven.
Fly to the sky where the only wall is infinity, infinity
In heaven, I will be free from all earthly obstacles and limitations, and will be able to soar to infinite heights and explore boundless horizons.
Going to shine down from heaven right into your room
My spiritual enlightenment and divine grace will radiate outwards from heaven and into the lives of those around me, touching and uplifting them.
Take the minds of your children right off to the moon
I will inspire and captivate the hearts and minds of children, who are capable of boundless creativity and imagination, and help them reach for the stars.
Every mud hut and igloo, every penthouse and farm
My message and influence will reach all corners of the world, from the humblest mud huts and igloos to the most opulent penthouses and sprawling farms.
I'll shine down from heaven and I'll do my snake-charm
With my divine power and spiritual enlightenment, I will mesmerize and enchant those around me, using my words and actions to sway and captivate them.
And the angels say "Sing, sing, sing", "Sing, sing, sing"
The angels encourage me to express myself freely and boldly, to sing out my joys and sorrows with abandon, and to revel in the beauty and wonder of the world around me.
Oh the whole world is singing the same happy tune
When we are all united in divine harmony, we will be able to sing a joyous and harmonious song together, embodying the boundless love and compassion of heaven.
Something so low even hound dogs can croon to insanity, insanity
Even the lowliest creatures on earth, such as hound dogs, will be able to tap into the divine magic and sing out in rapturous joy, driven to mania by the sheer ecstasy of it all.
Oh there's a signpost in heaven, in the firmament blue
In heaven, there are clear signs and guideposts that point the way towards greater spiritual understanding and divine enlightenment.
You can run to the wastelands, but it points straight at you
No matter how far you run or how desolate the landscape may be, the signpost in heaven will always be there to guide you towards the right path.
I've got a bank vault in heaven, what joy will it bring
My bank vault in heaven represents a source of endless joy and abundance, where I can find true happiness and fulfillment forevermore.
All you Punchs and Judys, I'll be pulling your strings
I will use my divine influence and guidance to direct and guide those around me towards greater spiritual enlightenment and growth.
Contributed by Elijah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ken Soehn
on Love in a Faithless Country
At a show at the Culch (The Vancouver East Cultural Centre) decades ago, Thompson said the song was inspired by two British serial killers, who seemed to be inspiring each other through the newspapers. Now you know why it sounds so spooky.
Mark Apelman
on Devonside
Not sure what this song means, but I love the feeling of it.