Richard Thompson OBE (born 3 April 1949, Notting Hill, London) is a British… Read Full Bio ↴Richard Thompson OBE (born 3 April 1949, Notting Hill, London) is a British singer/songwriter and guitarist. Highly regarded for his guitar techniques, Thompson was awarded the Orville H. Gibson award for best acoustic guitar player in 1991. Similarly, his songwriting has earned him an Ivor Novello Award and, in 2006, a lifetime achievement award from BBC Radio. Thompson made his debut as a recording artist as a member of Fairport Convention in September 1967. He left the group in 1971 and began recording with his wife as Richard & Linda Thompson, before their marriage dissolved in 1983. Since then, Thompson has maintained a critically-acclaimed solo career.

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.

Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne
Richard Thompson Lyrics

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He said, Dear, I'm leaving, right there in the hallway
As the party roared on all around
And her head wouldn't turn, O she couldn't look at him
In a whirlpool she quietly drowned
And she said to herself, I won't cry, I won't grieve
But I'll laugh and I'll flow with the wine
With the fast love of strangers we'll sing Sweet Bye and Bye
Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne

How I wish I knew
All the old songs they're singing
Such comfort they're bringing
To a heart that's as empty as mine
O it lifts you so high
Does the Sweet Bye and Bye
Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne

And she said, I'll be wearing my smile like a mask
And I'll care for each stranger I kiss
And no-one will know that I'm wounded and cheated
So close to my moment of bliss
And sometimes you never connect with a song
Till it's telling the way that you feel
Putting words to your story, all the pain and the glory
How can it be written so real

How I wish I knew
All the old songs they're singing
Such comfort they're bringing
To a heart that's as empty as mine
O it lifts you so high

Does the Sweet Bye and Bye
Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Richard Thompson's song "Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne" tell the story of a woman's heartbreak after her partner leaves her at a party. Despite being surrounded by revelry and high spirits, the woman can't bear to look at her departing lover and feels herself sinking into a "whirlpool" of despair. However, she resolves not to cry, choosing instead to lose herself in the company of strangers who offer her temporary solace. The title of the song derives from two well-known songs about the passage of time - "Happy Days Are Here Again" and "Auld Lang Syne". The former is associated with the optimism of the post-World War I period, while the latter is traditionally sung at New Year's Eve parties, signifying the end of one year and the hope for a better one to come. In their juxtaposition, they create a wistful mood that underscores the song's themes of loss and nostalgia.

The singer of the song expresses the desire to connect with others through music, hoping that through the shared experience of singing old songs, her heartache might be assuaged. She describes the sensation of being lifted up by the bittersweet sentimentality of the music, which serves as a temporary balm for her wounded soul. At the same time, the music creates a sense of distance, allowing her to wear a "smile like a mask" and hide her hurt from those around her. The song itself becomes a conduit for her emotions, giving voice to her pain and providing a sense of catharsis.

Overall, "Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne" is a poignant meditation on the power of music to soothe the soul, even as it reminds us of life's transience and the inevitability of loss. Through its vivid imagery and evocative melodies, the song captures the complexity of human emotion and the ways in which we use music to articulate the inexpressible.

Line by Line Meaning

He said, Dear, I'm leaving, right there in the hallway
He told her he's leaving, right in that spot in the hallway

As the party roared on all around
The party continued to be lively in the background

And her head wouldn't turn, O she couldn't look at him
She was unable to face him or look at him directly

In a whirlpool she quietly drowned
She was overwhelmed by her emotions and feelings, but didn't show it outwardly

And she said to herself, I won't cry, I won't grieve
She made a vow to not let her emotions show and to remain strong

But I'll laugh and I'll flow with the wine
Instead of dwelling on her sadness, she will try to have a good time and enjoy herself at the party

With the fast love of strangers we'll sing Sweet Bye and Bye
She plans to connect with strangers at the party and sing the song 'Sweet Bye and Bye' together

Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne
She wants to focus on happy memories and reminisce about the good times

How I wish I knew
She yearns to know and understand more

All the old songs they're singing
The songs being played hold a special meaning and bring her comfort

Such comfort they're bringing
The songs are providing a sense of solace and relief

To a heart that's as empty as mine
She feels lonely and lost, like her heart is empty

O it lifts you so high
The music has the ability to elevate one's mood and spirit

Does the Sweet Bye and Bye
The song 'Sweet Bye and Bye' in particular has this powerful effect

And she said, I'll be wearing my smile like a mask
She plans to put on a facade of happiness and hide any pain or sadness with a smile

And I'll care for each stranger I kiss
She'll be kind and affectionate towards people she doesn't know very well at the party

And no-one will know that I'm wounded and cheated
No one will suspect that she's experiencing pain or feeling betrayed

So close to my moment of bliss
Despite the difficulties she's facing, she was so close to experiencing happiness

And sometimes you never connect with a song
Sometimes it takes a moment of personal connection to truly appreciate and understand a song

Till it's telling the way that you feel
Once a song speaks to your emotions and experiences, you truly begin to appreciate its message

Putting words to your story, all the pain and the glory
The song has the power to vocalize and express the entire spectrum of emotions that she's feeling

How can it be written so real
The song feels so genuine and authentic that she's surprised it was written by someone else

Contributed by Ruby Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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