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.
Borrowed Time
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're taking heads for bounty
Wake up Corinne, they come to ride us down
Sweetness we have tasted
The time to move is wasted
They're riding like a hurricane through this town
We've been too many nights sleeping in a feather bed
You got to stand and fight for what you believe
You got to face death with your heart on your sleeve
Life is a card-game, you've soon got to leave
Living on borrowed,
Living on borrowed,
Living on borrowed time
If you say that you want your freedom
They'll hear you in every kingdom
They'll travel ten thousand miles just to shoot you down
Well the judge he was deluded
And the sheriff he soon colluded
And they swore they'd hang me six feet off the ground
They'll hunt you down 'cause you dare to tell the truth
A man ain't safe these days under his own roof
But you can't live your life under no man's thumb
They'll all pay double for what they've done
Our day's coming but their day's come
Living on borrowed,
Living on borrowed,
Living on borrowed time
You can't live your life under no man's thumb
They'll all pay double for what they've done
Our day's coming but their day's come
Living on borrowed,
Living on borrowed,
Living on borrowed time
The first verse of Richard Thompson's "Borrowed Time" tells a story of outlaws on the run, evading the bounty hunters that are after them. Corinne, most likely a lover of one of the outlaws, is woken up when the bounty hunters come after them, riding like a hurricane through the town. The sweet peace and rest that the outlaws enjoyed has been disrupted, and they must escape before it's too late. The second verse emphasizes the severity of the situation, noting that you can't close both your eyes with a price on your head. The outlaws have to fight for their beliefs and face death with their hearts on their sleeves to survive. The third verse talks of freedom and the dangers that come with it. The judge was deluded, and the sheriff colluded to catch the outlaws and hang them six feet off the ground. However, the outlaws' day will come, and the people who have done them wrong will pay double for their wrongdoings.
"Borrowed Time" talks about the transience of life and the idea that everyone is living on borrowed time. The outlaws in the song know that they cannot hide forever and are aware that their time is running out. The use of the metaphor of a card game in the chorus reminds the listener that life is a game of chance, and one's time might be up soon. The song also shows the courage and bravery required to fight for what one believes in, even if it means putting oneself in harm's way.
Overall, "Borrowed Time" is a powerful ode to living life with purpose, fighting for what you believe in, and facing the consequences of one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
There's riders in this county
There are violent riders in this area
They're taking heads for bounty
They are collecting heads for reward
Wake up Corinne, they come to ride us down
We need to be alert and ready, because they are coming to attack us
Sweetness we have tasted
We have enjoyed a good life so far
The time to move is wasted
It's too late to escape
They're riding like a hurricane through this town
They are causing destruction and chaos as they move through the town
We’ve been too many nights sleeping in a feather bed
We have been living comfortably for too long
You can't close both your eyes with a price on your head
You can't let your guard down when you are being hunted
You got to stand and fight for what you believe
You need to be ready to defend your principles
You got to face death with your heart on your sleeve
You have to be brave in the face of danger
Life is a card-game, you've soon got to leave
Life is unpredictable and short
Living on borrowed,
We are living beyond our means
Living on borrowed,
Our time is limited
Living on borrowed time
We are running out of time
If you say that you want your freedom
If you express your desire for freedom
They'll hear you in every kingdom
You will be hunted by powerful forces everywhere
They'll travel ten thousand miles just to shoot you down
They will stop at nothing to capture or kill you
Well the judge he was deluded
The judge was misguided
And the sheriff he soon colluded
The sheriff joined the attackers
And they swore they'd hang me six feet off the ground
They threatened to kill me
They'll hunt you down 'cause you dare to tell the truth
You will be targeted for speaking the truth
A man ain't safe these days under his own roof
Even in one's own home, one is not safe anymore
But you can't live your life under no man's thumb
You need to resist being controlled by others
They'll all pay double for what they've done
They will face consequences for their actions
Our day's coming but their day's come
Justice will be served in the end
Living on borrowed,
We are living beyond our means
Living on borrowed,
Our time is limited
Living on borrowed time
We are running out of time
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RICHARD THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jonathanh8187
One of my favorite Richard and Linda rockers. Phenomenal guitarist and one of the great songwriters of the past 50 years.
@thelastnic
wow, have some of their stuff but didnt think about looking for it on the tube, thanks for posting this
@IanRoure
Simon Nicol on guitar!
@AlFrisby
"Too many night's sleeping in a feather bed can't close your eyes with a price on your head"
@CliffHendroval
Looks like Pete Zorn on bass and Dave Mattacks on drums...any other suggestions for the back-up band?
@ddwb1
The pinkie and ring finger on Richard Thompson’s right hand.