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.
Devonside
Richard Thompson Lyrics
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It was a gang of no great size
And surrender was the banner that she carried
And hungry was the shiver in her eyes
She met a boy, his health was failing
She dropped the banner and took her prize
And the only food she had was bread and morphine
By Devonside his love was drifting
He looked for comfort otherwise
And there never was a rope or chain about him
Ah, she held him with the shiver in her eyes
Ah, she said, my John, I'll be your pillow
I'll be your lover, mother, whore and wife
And he knew that he loved and never seen her
When the light fell from the shiver in her eyes
The song "Devonside" by Richard Thompson is a melancholic ballad with poetic lyrics that can be interpreted in many ways. The song seems to tell the story of a woman who joins a small march by Devonside and carries a banner of surrender. She meets a sick boy and falls in love with him, taking care of him with the only food she has, bread and morphine. The shiver in her eyes seems to represent vulnerability and fear, but also a deep emotional connection that she shares with the boy. The second part of the song shifts to the perspective of the boy, whose love is drifting and seeks comfort elsewhere. He is not tied down by any physical constraints, but he is held by the shiver in her eyes, which represent the strong emotional bond he feels with the woman.
The song is open to many interpretations. Some may see it as a love story, while others may interpret it as a metaphor for the human condition of seeking comfort and connection in times of suffering and distress. The lyrics create vivid imagery and evoke strong emotions, leaving the listener to contemplate the deeper meaning of the song. The somber melody and understated instrumentation add to the melancholic and reflective mood of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
By Devonside she was a-marching
She was marching by the side of Devon
It was a gang of no great size
There were not many people in her gang
And surrender was the banner that she carried
She carried a banner signaling that she was ready to surrender
And hungry was the shiver in her eyes
Her eyes showed a deep hunger
She met a boy, his health was failing
She encountered a boy who was not well
She dropped the banner and took her prize
She abandoned her banner and claimed the boy as her prize
And the only food she had was bread and morphine
The only sustenance she had was bread and morphine
Ah, but he fed on the shiver in her eyes
The boy drew strength and comfort from her hungry gaze
By Devonside his love was drifting
His love was ebbing away by the side of Devon
He looked for comfort otherwise
He sought out comfort elsewhere
And there never was a rope or chain about him
He was never bound or restricted
Ah, she held him with the shiver in her eyes
She held him captive with her hungry gaze
Ah, she said, my John, I'll be your pillow
She promised to be his comfort and solace
I'll be your lover, mother, whore and wife
She pledged to fulfill all roles for him
And he knew that he loved and never seen her
He realized that he loved someone he had never seen before
When the light fell from the shiver in her eyes
When the intensity of her gaze dimmed
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Apelman
Not sure what this song means, but I love the feeling of it.