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.

John the Gun
Richard Thompson Lyrics

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''My shadow follows me
Wherever I should chance to go'',
John The Gun did say.
''If you should chance to meet me
As I wander to and fro,
Sad would be your day.

My life is mine and the light did shine

Till the guns they did go through me,
So now I shall never fall.
Ideals of peace are gold which fools have found
Upon the plains of war.
I shall destroy them all.''

Chorus
Put away your guns of steel,
Death comes too soon for all.
Your Master He may need you soon,
And you must heed His call.
''I am the master of the games
That you will hardly ever play,
So I will teach your sons.
And if they should die
Before the evening of their span of days,
Why, then they will die young.''

(Chorus)

''Condemn me not,
For always will I play the game of war,
In moonshine or in sun.
And if any cross the path I choose to tread,
Their chances they are poor.
My name is John The Gun.''

(Chorus)

Overall Meaning

The song John the Gun by Richard Thompson tells the story of a mysterious and dangerous man called John the Gun. He acknowledges that his shadow follows him wherever he goes, implying that his past actions and reputation have caught up with him. He warns whoever meets him that their day would be sad if they do so, suggesting that he is not one to be crossed. He believes that he is the master of the games that others hardly play, and he will teach others, specifically their sons. John the Gun seems to have a fatalistic view of life as he remarks that death comes too soon for all, and if someone crosses his path, their chances are poor. He ends the song by declaring that his name is John the Gun, and he will always play the game of war.

The song is a commentary on the senselessness of war and the glorification of violence, as well as an exploration of the psychological effect of war on individuals. The lyrics showcase the character of John the Gun, who has been shaped by his past experiences and has an unyielding determination to follow his chosen path. The chorus of the song is a plea to put away guns and embrace ideals of peace.

Line by Line Meaning

My shadow follows me Wherever I should chance to go
Wherever I go, I carry the burden of my past actions and decisions.

John The Gun did say. ''If you should chance to meet me As I wander to and fro, Sad would be your day.
This is a warning to all those who would try to cross John The Gun's path or get in his way. He is not to be trifled with.

My life is mine and the light did shine Till the guns they did go through me, So now I shall never fall. Ideals of peace are gold which fools have found Upon the plains of war. I shall destroy them all.
John The Gun is a soldier who has been through the horrors of war and as a result, he is hardened and beyond redemption. He has grown skeptical of the ideals of peace and will do whatever it takes to eliminate them from the world.

Put away your guns of steel, Death comes too soon for all. Your Master He may need you soon, And you must heed His call.
This is a plea to all those who carry guns. Life is too precious to be wasted, and death comes at an unpredictable time. People should instead focus on serving their master and living a life that brings them inner peace, rather than focusing on violence and destruction.

''I am the master of the games That you will hardly ever play, So I will teach your sons. And if they should die Before the evening of their span of days, Why, then they will die young.''
John The Gun sees himself as someone who has mastered the game of war, and his experience can help teach future generations. He acknowledges the potential danger and mortality involved and is almost dismissive of young lives being lost in the process.

Condemn me not, For always will I play the game of war, In moonshine or in sun. And if any cross the path I choose to tread, Their chances they are poor. My name is John The Gun.
This is a declaration of purpose from John The Gun himself. He makes no apologies for his actions or his beliefs and sees himself as someone who will always be a warrior, regardless of the circumstances. Those who stand against him will face dire consequences.

(Chorus)
This is a repeating chorus that emphasizes the theme of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of inner peace and spirituality over violent conflict.

Contributed by Anna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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