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.
Farewell Farewell
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You lonely travelers all
The cold north wind will blow again
The winding road does call
And will you never return to see
Your bruised and beaten sons
Oh I would, I would if welcome I were
And will you never cut the cloth
Or drink the light to be
And can you never swear a year
To anyone but we
No I will never cut the cloth
Or drink the light to be
But I'll swear a year to one who lies
Asleep along side of me
Farewell, farewell to you who would hear
You lonely travelers all
The cold north wind will blow again
The winding road does call
The lyrics to Richard Thompson's song, Farewell Farewell, reflect a sense of longing, sadness, and a feeling of being disconnected from the world around. The first verse represents the wandering nature of the traveler and the loneliness that they feel on their journey. The cold north wind represents the journey itself, and the winding road signifies the never-ending journey of life.
The second verse speaks about the hopelessness of the situation, with the singer questioning whether they will ever be able to return home and see their loved ones again. They talk about their bruised and beaten sons, who loathe them, indicating some kind of estrangement with their family. The third verse suggests that the singer is at peace with their situation and does not necessarily want to change it. They refuse to "cut the cloth" or "drink the light" to fit in with society's constraints but instead swears loyalty to someone lying next to them, suggesting the only connection the singer needs is with their lover.
Overall, the lyrics to Farewell Farewell indicate a sense of disconnect from the past, present, and future, conveying the feelings of a wanderer lost in the world. Richard Thompson's distinctive voice and the instrumental arrangement of the song further enhance the melancholic tone and the sense of isolation that the lyrics conveys.
Line by Line Meaning
Farewell, farewell to you who'd hear
Goodbye to the ones who would listen
You lonely travelers all
Those who wander alone
The cold north wind will blow again
Winter's chill will return
The winding road does call
The path continues to beckon
And will you never return to see
And will you never come back to witness
Your bruised and beaten sons
Your wounded and hurt children
Oh I would, I would if welcome I were
Oh, I would if I were welcome
For they loathe me every one
Because they all hate me
And will you never cut the cloth
And will you never make a garment
Or drink the light to be
Or consume the elixir of life
And can you never swear a year
And can you never pledge a year
To anyone but we
To anyone besides us
No I will never cut the cloth
No, I will never make a garment
Or drink the light to be
Or consume the elixir of life
But I'll swear a year to one who lies
But I'll pledge a year to someone who sleeps
Asleep along side of me
Beside me in slumber
Farewell, farewell to you who would hear
Goodbye to the ones who would listen
You lonely travelers all
Those who wander alone
The cold north wind will blow again
Winter's chill will return
The winding road does call
The path continues to beckon
Contributed by Matthew T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@markweintraub325
Now when I was at Devereux, Mr Iaconelli brought in a whole bunch of record albums, which were a lot of folk music albums. They were:
Bob Dylan.
The Jefferson Airplane.
Donovan.
Melanie.
Leonard Cohen.
David Bromberg.
Fairport Convention.
Peter, Paul and Mary.
John Denver.
Judy Collins.
Tom Paxton.
Tom Rush.
Joan Baez.
John Prine.
Steve Goodman.
The Kingston Trio.
Pete Seeger.
The Turtles.
The Mamas and the Papas.
The Byrds.
Jim Croce.
Gordon Lightfoot.
Don McLean.
Harry Nilsson.
Joni Mitchell.
James Taylor.
Steeleye Span.
Mimi and Richard Fariina.
Ian and Sylvia.
Jackie Washington.
Jonathan and Leigh.
The Rooftop Singers.
The Allen Ward Trio.
Neil Young.
Neil Diamond.
Jerry Jeff Walker.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
New Riders of the Purple Sage.
The Grateful Dead.
The Grassroots.
-Mark Weintraub.
@keesklompenhouwer5628
It was 1972 when I was first introduced to this miracle. Now, 48 years later, I am still deeply moved. Thank you Sandy, I will not forget your farewell.
@patrickjwhited6567
It's the same for me. I used to sit up late at night and record music from local FM stations, and I called them all bugging the for Fairport Convention. I met the band in a club here in Columbus, Ohio, Sandy was gone sad to say, but the core group was the same. This will sound weird, but taking a leak at the urinal next to the Richard Thompson was at is kind of a special moment in my life. :) Told you it would sound weird.. And wow, I just replied to a two year old post.. :) ANd I don't care!!
@nadimirluigi139
@@patrickjwhited6567 Nice story. I met Richard Thompson at long last here in England last August at the 50th year Full House celebration, in less curious circumstances than yours. Fairport has been amazing forever and being able to see them live playing the whole Full House album with Thompson, Nicol, Mattacks, Pegg and Chris Leslie is something that will stay with me forever...
@tobycoldecott3395
My dads song played at his funeral 😢
He was a massive folk/sandy/Fairport fan, always said when he played this he wanted it played at his funeral... miss you dad ❤️
@pacu9
Your dad had great taste. May he RIP
@williamjohnston6033
Makes me realise how much music moves us, you're dad had a good taste in music, enjoy his taste.
@LH-kr4od
When my own dad was in a coma and dying, in the summer just gone, I had time to sit with him for an hour and play his favourite tracks at his bedside. I think this one felt too "on the nose" as I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye, but I remember playing him "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" When I went back into the waiting room, my family members said they'd also played that one to him. Lots of his favourite stuff I can barely listen to now, but Sandy's music is perfect for grief.
@peterbateman8018
Such a beautiful song, with deep lyrics and Sandy’s perfect voice. This song means so much to so many people, it’s just magic.
@barbarajaspersen8482
I sing many of her songs. I don't have her genius, but she is my guide, my friend, my inspiration, always steady there for me, a hand held in music. Has taught me so much.
@LH-kr4od
Same here ❤️