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.
Bathsheba Smiles
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She smiles and veins turn to ice
She smiles and heads bow down
She works the room
Air-kisses every victim twice
She spreads her joy around
Do you raise your face to kiss angels?
Do you float on air to hear oracles?
Bathsheba smiles, smiles
Bathsheba smiles, smiles
No doubt can cross her mind
Cross her mind
Bathsheba knows
She knows you better than yourself
Confess it on your knees
She shares her love
And sharing love is sharing wealth
Dig in your pockets please
Do you close your eyes to see miracles?
Do you raise your face to kiss angels?
Do you float on air to hear oracles?
Bathsheba smiles, smiles
Bathsheba smiles, smiles
No doubt can cross her mind
No pain no gain's a strain
But she never seems to hurt
Catwalk pilgrims sing a song
Hello heaven, goodbye dirt and no hair shirt
Do you close your eyes to see miracles?
Do you raise your face to kiss angels?
Do you float on air to hear oracles?
Bathsheba smiles, smiles
Bathsheba smiles, smiles
No doubt can cross her mind
Do you close your eyes?
Do you raise your face?
Bathsheba smiles, smiles
Bathsheba smiles, smiles
Bathsheba smiles
The song "Bathsheba Smiles" by Richard Thompson is a reflection on the power of charisma and the potential danger it can pose. Bathsheba is described as someone who brings joy and love to those around her, but also wields her influence to manipulate others. The opening lines describe the physical reaction that her smile elicits – it sends shivers down people's spines and makes them bend in submission. She "works the room" and "air-kisses every victim twice," suggesting that she is not authentic in her connections with people but rather employs a persona that she can turn on and off at will.
Line by Line Meaning
Bathsheba smiles
Bathsheba, the subject of the song, is described as smiling
She smiles and veins turn to ice
Her smile is described as having a chilling effect on those who see it
She smiles and heads bow down
People are depicted as being unable to resist the power of her smile, falling to their knees in her presence
She works the room
Bathsheba is described as moving around the space, interacting with those present
Air-kisses every victim twice
She is depicted as insincere in her interactions, kissing those around her as if performing a social obligation rather than genuinely connecting with them
She spreads her joy around
Despite her insincerity, her smile has a contagious quality that brightens the mood of those around her
Bathsheba knows
Bathsheba is depicted as possessing a level of awareness and understanding that surpasses that of those around her
She knows you better than yourself
She is depicted as being able to see right through people, understanding them more deeply than they understand themselves
Confess it on your knees
This line suggests that she has power over those around her, who are depicted as being subservient to her and eager to please her
She shares her love
Despite her coldness, she is depicted as having a capacity for love
And sharing love is sharing wealth
This line suggests that her love is valuable and something to be prized
Dig in your pockets please
The line suggests that her love comes at a price
No pain no gain's a strain
This line is a commentary on the idea that one must suffer in order to achieve success
But she never seems to hurt
Bathsheba is depicted as immune to the struggles and hardships that others face on their path to success
Catwalk pilgrims sing a song
This line refers to those who are fashionable or trendy, and who follow a certain path in order to achieve success
Hello heaven, goodbye dirt and no hair shirt
The line suggests that those who follow the fashionable path will be rewarded with success and will not have to suffer like those who wear a hair shirt
Do you close your eyes to see miracles?
This line is an invitation to the listener to explore their own spirituality
Do you raise your face to kiss angels?
This is another spiritual question, inviting the listener to reflect on their relationship to the divine
Do you float on air to hear oracles?
This line invites the listener to imagine a mystical experience, in which they are able to hear divine messages
No doubt can cross her mind
The line suggests that Bathsheba is so confident in her own knowledge and understanding that she is never plagued by doubt
Do you close your eyes?
This line returns to the earlier spiritual questions, inviting the listener to reflect on their own beliefs
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marktrela7309
Love, love, love RT and any song on this album!
@diogenesagogo
This is terrific! First reminded me of The Beatles (I'll Be Back) then realised it's more like Split Enz/Crowded House. But, whatever, it's stand alone brilliant!
@johnshadoe
Damn... this is smooth.
@wilmarikken
Do you close your eyes to see miracles
Do you raise your face to kiss angels
@cl0wnsh0es27
All of us will get our due.
@zaroffhound
dear universe, please allow thompson to score a Hammer film.
@sophie-grace9143
Maybe I'm wrong, but I hear this as about Lady Di.
@Riaakiller
No, I do believe it was to Linda Paul's wife. They both dated at one time Paul won her over.
@jazz_addict7079
What prompts you to suggest R. T. has reason to regard Di with such bitterness and cynicism???
@Cleapatr
I think it was about super models, Naomi Campbell in particular