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.
Both Ends Burning
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They said that she never could win
"Only fit for a bullet", they said
She’ll be coming out of a tin
So I took her home, I fed her on hay
I tied her up with a sling
Well, she just kept howling all of the night
Well, both ends burning, both ends burning
That’s how she got her name
Both ends burning, both ends burning
I never will sleep again
Ah, both ends burning, both ends burning
That’s how she got her name
Both ends burning, both ends burning
I never will sleep again
I took her to the race-track one fine day
They couldn’t believe their eyes
They said, if that nag even stays on her feet
We’re gonna give you first prize
Ah, both ends burning, both ends burning
That’s how she got her name
Oh, both ends burning, both ends burning
I never will sleep again
Oh, both ends burning, both ends burning
That’s how she got her name
Both ends burning, both ends burning
I never will sleep again
She ran so fast that it took my breath
You never did see such a win
But when she crossed that finishing line
I was just too tired to grin
Ah, both ends burning, both ends burning
That’s how she got her name
Oh, both ends burning, both ends burning
I never will sleep again
Oh, both ends burning, both ends burning
That’s how she got her name
Both ends burning, both ends burning
I never will sleep again
The lyrics to Richard Thompson's "Both Ends Burning" tell the story of an unlikely racing horse with a broken leg that was bought and brought back to health by the singer. Despite being deemed "only fit for a bullet" by others, the horse was named "Both Ends Burning" after she howled all night and went on to win a race at the track, leaving the judges and others in disbelief. The exhilaration of the singer and the horse's win is tempered by the exhaustion the singer feels, having given it his all to get her to that point.
On the surface, the lyrics tell the tale of an underdog triumphing despite the odds, but there's a deeper meaning to the words. The story can be interpreted as a metaphor for those who are deemed "broken" or "less than" by society and are ignored or discarded, despite their inherent value and potential. It takes someone who is willing to see past the surface to give them a chance and bring them back to health, despite others' doubts. And just like the horse, they can go on to show their worth and leave others in disbelief at what they can accomplish.
Overall, "Both Ends Burning" is a powerful ode to perseverance, the value of second chances, and the ability for anyone to triumph against the odds when given a chance.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I bought me a horse with a broken leg
I purchased a horse that the sellers insisted was unfit for anything other than being put down due to its injury
They said that she never could win
They informed me that the horse was useless and would fail to accomplish anything due to the injury
"Only fit for a bullet", they said
The sellers said that the horse was valueless, so it should be killed immediately
She’ll be coming out of a tin
They were telling me that the horse would be killed and end up in a can of meat.
So I took her home, I fed her on hay
I took the horse home and started feeding it appropriately
I tied her up with a sling
I secured her sling to help with her broken, recovering leg
Well, she just kept howling all of the night
The horse was in terrible pain, and it kept crying out all night
And that’s the reason I sing
I wrote this song since the horse influenced me, and I wish to honor it
They couldn’t believe their eyes
People were startled by the horse’s unexpected racing speed
They said, if that nag even stays on her feet
People were skeptical about the horse's ability to remain upright
We’re gonna give you first prize
The race officials told me that my horse would be awarded first place if she stayed in contention
She ran so fast that it took my breath
Watching her run was so exhilarating that it took my breath away
You never did see such a win
It was a remarkable victory, and people were in awe
But when she crossed that finishing line
When the horse reached the end of the race, my pleasure rapidly drained from my face.
I was just too tired to grin
Despite how amazing the victory was, I was too exhausted to celebrate it properly.
Both ends burning, both ends burning... I never will sleep again
I named the horse with a nod to her endurance, and she has so much energy that I never feel like sleeping anymore.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.