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.
Burns Supper
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it's late for me, let an old man rest
One more black and tan on the barricade
To keep me safe from loving
When I close my eyes, close my eyes
To the cold flame of the Northern Lights
When I close my eyes, close my eyes
And I see you still in the shuttered night
What a new-found friend is honesty
To see ourselves as others see
To see the shy boy inside the man
Is that all I am? Just starved of loving
When I close my eyes, I close my eyes
To the cold flame of the Northern Lights
When I close my eyes, close my eyes
And I see you still in the shuttered night
In 'Burns Supper,' Richard Thompson sings about the pain of unrequited love that has remained with him for a long time. The singer of the song confesses that the person he is speaking to knows the words locked up in his heart, but it's too late for him to do anything about it. He's an old man now and just wants to rest. The singer enjoys having a drink (a black and tan on a barricade) to keep him safe from loving again. He's afraid of getting hurt once more, so he tries to close his eyes and forget the person who has broken his heart. Despite his efforts, he still sees them in his mind's eye and can't seem to let go.
Here, Thompson seems to be highlighting the complexity of human emotions and how difficult it is to move on from an unrequited love or a past heartbreak that has left its scar. The singer speaks about the new-found friend that is honesty, and how it helps to see oneself as others see him. He wonders if the shy boy inside him is all he is- someone who is just starved of love. The song's closing lines further emphasize his inability to let go of the past, as he admits that he still sees his lost love in the shuttered night.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh you speak the words locked in my breast
You understand my innermost thoughts and emotions.
But it's late for me, let an old man rest
I am tired and ready to move on from my struggles and pain.
One more black and tan on the barricade
I'll have one more drink to numb the pain and keep me guarded against love.
To keep me safe from loving
I'm afraid of getting hurt by love and use alcohol as a defense mechanism.
What a new-found friend is honesty
Honesty is a valuable new acquaintance that helps us see ourselves from others' perspectives.
To see ourselves as others see
It's important to have a truthful understanding of how others perceive us.
To see the shy boy inside the man
Despite appearing confident on the outside, there may be a timid and cautious inner self that's hidden.
Is that all I am? Just starved of loving
I may be missing out on love due to my own fears and barriers.
When I close my eyes, I close my eyes
When I shut out the world and escape into myself,
To the cold flame of the Northern Lights
I imagine the beautiful but remote and distant Northern Lights.
And I see you still in the shuttered night
I still remember you, even when I'm alone and hurting.
Contributed by Connor S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Broonzied
A rare wee gem from Richard this one. This song seems to pass most folks by, but I think it has a kind of beautiful melancholy about it.
Jennifer Mercer
I LOVE this song x