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.
Johnny's Far Away
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're known quite well throughout the land, The Drones
The Drones are signed up on a cruise
While Tracey's laying in the booze back home
She's got herself another man, a smoothie
While the kids are in the front room watching movies
She's got him in a head lock, in an arm lock, in a jam
She says, I can't express myself with my old man
While Johnny's Far away on the Rolling, Rolling
Johnny's Far Away On The Rolling Sea
Johnny's cruising out to sea
And he believes in chastity - for some
The wealthy widows bill and coo
He fends off one or two, and then succumbs
As they're turning hard-a-port in the Bahamas
He's turning her right out of her pyjamas
He's turned her every which way to the rhythm of the sea
He says, I can't express myself with my old lady
While Johnny's Far away on the Rolling, Rolling
Johnny's Far Away On The Rolling Sea
Johnny's home, he opens up his door
While someone's sneaking out the back
And Tracey says, you look so poorly
Sores and all, you need to see the quack
She wipes the snot from off the kiddies' noses
He charms her with eleven battered roses
And by and by they get down to the job of man and wife
Back to the old comforts of the missionary life
While Johnny's Far away on the Rolling, Rolling
Johnny's Far Away On The Rolling Sea
The lyrics of Richard Thompson's "Johnny's Far Away" narrate the story of Johnny, a man who is a part of a ceilidh band called The Drones, and his wife Tracey. The first verse introduces the audience to the fact that The Drones have become well-known throughout the land and signed up for a cruise while Johnny is away. Back home, Tracey is indulging in alcohol and has begun seeing another man. She's got him in a headlock, and in an arm lock, and in a jam; she feels like she can't express herself with her old man. Meanwhile, Johnny is far away on the rolling sea, leaving her home with the kids watching movies.
The second verse tells us that Johnny is a chaste man and believes in it for others. But as the band turns hard-a-port in the Bahamas, Johnny is turning a wealthy widow right out of her pyjamas, and he succumbs to her charms. They turn every which way to the rhythm of the sea as he explains that he can't express himself with his old lady. Later, when he returns home, he finds someone sneaking out of the back door of his house. Tracey tells him that he looks unwell with sores on his body and needs to see a doctor. After wiping the snot off the kids' noses, he charms her with eleven battered roses, and they get back to the old comforts of the missionary life.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny's joined a ceilidh band,
Johnny has become a member of a celebrated ceilidh band known as The Drones.
They're known quite well throughout the land, The Drones
The Drones, Johnny's band, has achieved widespread recognition and popularity.
The Drones are signed up on a cruise
The Drones have been booked for a cruise performance.
While Tracey's laying in the booze back home
Tracey is lying drunk at home.
She's got herself another man, a smoothie
Tracey has a new lover, who is charming and suave.
While the kids are in the front room watching movies
The children are in the living room, engrossed in watching movies.
She's got him in a head lock, in an arm lock, in a jam
Tracey has physically restrained her new lover in a struggle.
She says, I can't express myself with my old man
Tracey can't articulate her feelings to her old husband or understand him properly.
While Johnny's Far away on the Rolling, Rolling
Johnny is far away, cruising on the vast sea.
Johnny's Far Away On The Rolling Sea
Johnny is enjoying his trip out at sea.
Johnny's cruising out to sea
Johnny is sailing across the sea.
And he believes in chastity - for some
Johnny is faithful and believes in abstaining from illicit relations.
The wealthy widows bill and coo
Rich, single widows on the cruise flirt with Johnny.
He fends off one or two, and then succumbs
Johnny successfully resists advances from some women but eventually yields to temptation.
As they're turning hard-a-port in the Bahamas
As the ship turns sharply in the Bahamas waters.
He's turning her right out of her pyjamas
Johnny indulges in physical intimacy with one of the widows.
He's turned her every which way to the rhythm of the sea
Johnny has made love to her in different positions and to match the sea's movements.
He says, I can't express myself with my old lady
Johnny cannot communicate to his wife properly.
Johnny's home, he opens up his door
Johnny returns home and opens the door to enter.
While someone's sneaking out the back
Someone is secretly leaving the house from the back entrance.
And Tracey says, you look so poorly
Tracey remarks that Johnny looks unwell.
Sores and all, you need to see the quack
Johnny has sores and needs to consult a medical practitioner.
She wipes the snot from off the kiddies' noses
Tracey cleans the snot from the children's noses.
He charms her with eleven battered roses
Johnny gives Tracey a bouquet of 11 roses that are slightly worn out but still attractive.
And by and by they get down to the job of man and wife
Johnny and Tracey engage in a conjugal act.
Back to the old comforts of the missionary life
Johnny and Tracey resume their usual married life, including religious activities.
While Johnny's Far away on the Rolling, Rolling
Johnny is still on his ocean trip.
Johnny's Far Away On The Rolling Sea
Johnny is somewhere in the vast waters, enjoying himself.
Contributed by Jasmine R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
bill snooks
what a great song...what a songwriter!
Gabriel David Roveda Ramírez
Really folk song