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.
Broken Doll
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not a boy and not a man
Man enough to know the odds are long
They dress you up and keep you clean
Like courtiers around a queen
Show you good from bad, right from wrong
All the tears in the world
Won’t mend a Broken Doll
The little things in life escape her
Dolls are made of rags and paper
China cracks and chips so easily
Doesn’t have the will, the strength
To hold the world out at arm’s length
Skin’s too thin, eyes too wide to see
All the tears in the world
All the tears in the world
Won’t mend a Broken Doll
Wish I could give love to you
And life to you and hope to you
As you look through me to something else
In your face I think I see
Twisted-up infinity
Angel soul imprisoned in a shell
All the tears in the world
All the tears in the world
Won’t mend a Broken Doll
In this song, Richard Thompson sings about a broken doll, a metaphor for someone who is helpless and fragile, and the singer’s empathy for her. The opening lines of the song, “You called for me so here I am, not a boy and not a man, man enough to know the odds are long,” suggests that the singer is aware of the difficulties of his task, but he is willing to help the broken doll. The metaphor continues as Thompson sings, “They dress you up and keep you clean, like courtiers around a queen, show you good from bad, right from wrong.” The broken doll is being protected and kept safe, but at the same time, it is unable to experience the world and learn from its mistakes.
Thompson describes the helplessness of the broken doll, “The little things in life escape her, dolls are made of rags and paper, china cracks and chips so easily, doesn’t have the will, the strength, to hold the world out at arm’s length, skin’s too thin, eyes too wide to see.” The doll, much like a person who lacks resilience, is fragile and unable to handle the challenges of life. Despite the singer’s willingness to help, he acknowledges that “All the tears in the world won’t mend a broken doll.” The song ends with a wishful sentiment of wanting to give love, life, and hope to the broken doll, but the final lines suggest that it is impossible to repair a broken soul or an “angel soul imprisoned in a shell.”
Line by Line Meaning
You called for me so here I am
I came to you because you asked me to
Not a boy and not a man
I am somewhere in between, still figuring things out
Man enough to know the odds are long
I understand that things may not work out in our favor
They dress you up and keep you clean
People take care of you, but only superficially
Like courtiers around a queen
They treat you like royalty, but don't truly care about your well-being
Show you good from bad, right from wrong
They teach you what's morally right and wrong
All the tears in the world
No matter how much someone cries
Won’t mend a Broken Doll
It won't fix someone who is damaged beyond repair
The little things in life escape her
She doesn't understand or appreciate the small joys of life
Dolls are made of rags and paper
Dolls are fragile and often disposable
China cracks and chips so easily
That which is delicate and refined can be easily broken
Doesn’t have the will, the strength
She lacks the determination and resilience
To hold the world out at arm’s length
To keep the world at a distance and protect herself
Skin’s too thin, eyes too wide to see
She is too vulnerable and naive to fully comprehend the world around her
Wish I could give love to you
I want to show you love and care
And life to you and hope to you
I want to give you purpose and optimism
As you look through me to something else
You don't see me or my efforts to help, but focus on something else
In your face I think I see
From observing your expressions
Twisted-up infinity
I see endless pain and trauma within you
Angel soul imprisoned in a shell
You have a pure and beautiful heart, but you're trapped in a damaged body/mind
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON, CHUCK BERRY, STANLEY J LEWIS, DALE HAWKINS, ELEANOR BROADWATER, JEAN REINHARDT, JUAN TIZOL, DUKE ELLINGTON, HANK MARVIN, B.A. WELCH, J HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
manthasagittarius1
There is just no end to this man's range. What a lyric, what an arrangement, what a naked soul in the voice.
Iamgratefulable
LOVE this song.. RT rules!!
Pauline Kentridge
A stunning, stunning song. Like clockwork running down.
Noah Tomato
Love the mix of wet and dry. Gorgeous
Veronica Funky
I love this song!!!!lol so good!!!
mariopanacci
Lovely expressive tag bringing "it" all together -"broken doll" - so open to and welcoming reflection.
cycloptical26
creepy song
cycloptical26
Behind Grey Walls too.
mando3b
@cycloptical26 No one does creepy songs like RT--check out "Cold Kisses", "Hope You Like the New Me", etc.