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.
Meet On The Ledge
Richard Thompson Lyrics
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Or finding better words" These ideas never lasted long
The way is up along the road, the air is growing thin
Too many friends who tried, blown off this mountain with the wind
Meet on the ledge, we're going to meet on the ledge
When my time is up, I'm going to see all my friends
If you really mean it, it all comes around again
Yet now I see, I'm all alone, but that's the only way to be
You'll have your chance again, then you can do the work for me
Meet on the ledge, we're going to meet on the ledge
When my time is up, I'm going to see all my friends
Meet on the ledge, we're going to meet on the ledge
If you really mean it, it all comes around again
Meet on the ledge, we're going to meet on the ledge
When my time is up, I'm going to see all my friends
Meet on the ledge, we're going to meet on the ledge
If you really mean it, it all comes around again
In Richard Thompson's Meet On The Ledge, the opening lines reference the fleeting nature of creative inspiration. The singer remembers a time when they and their friends would talk excitedly about the future, imagining a day when they would all be making music and writing songs. However, these ideas never seemed to last long, and the singer is now alone in their creative endeavors. The chorus of the song becomes a call to action, a hope that they will see their friends again one day, and they will meet on the ledge.
The song's repeated use of "meet on the ledge" seems to suggest a shared space where the creative and the inspired can come together. The second verse gives us an image of a difficult journey uphill, where friends have been "blown off this mountain with the wind." The use of the word "mountain" could represent the natural uphill struggle of creating something worthwhile, while the wind could symbolize the constant obstacles and challenges along the way. Despite these setbacks, the singer still holds onto the hope of meeting on the ledge with friends someday.
Overall, Meet On The Ledge is a poignant song about the struggle of creation and the quest for connection. The singer acknowledges their loneliness but still holds onto hope for reunion with fellow creators. The song's repeated use of "meet on the ledge" is a powerful metaphor for the shared space of creativity and the belief that even in isolation, we are never alone in our journey.
Line by Line Meaning
We used to say "There'd come the day we'd all be making songs
Or finding better words" These ideas never lasted long
In the past, we had aspirations of creating music or writing more eloquently, but those desires were never realized and eventually faded away.
The way is up along the road, the air is growing thin
Too many friends who tried, blown off this mountain with the wind
The journey to success is difficult and fraught with challenges. Many of our friends have attempted it, but few have succeeded and have been swept away by failure.
Meet on the ledge, we're going to meet on the ledge
When my time is up, I'm going to see all my friends
Meet on the ledge, we're going to meet on the ledge
If you really mean it, it all comes around again
We will reunite with our friends who have passed away on the metaphorical ledge of life. If we truly believe in this concept, it will come full circle and we will be reunited again.
Yet now I see, I'm all alone, but that's the only way to be
You'll have your chance again, then you can do the work for me
I am currently alone and must work towards success alone, but eventually others will have the opportunity to help me achieve my goals.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Richard John Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrsBlackOrchard
Played this at my mum's funeral 😢 it was my dad's request, even tho they'd separated they still loved each other 💙💗 incredible song
@RobHollanderMusic
Richard is probably the most talented not-quite-famous musician in the world. The fact that he and Fairport aren't in the R&R Hall of Fame, and have never been given a lifetime achievement Grammy is a disgrace.
@flimbambo
A self deprecating gentleman who has to chisel off the edges of his excellence so as not to blind you wi the the brilliance of his talent
@johnscullin4195
You know, I was pretty literate and well-spoken at 19, but Jesus Christ - to write this at that age? Remarkable.
@tomgreeves9248
I couldn’t agree more.
It’s actually somewhat freaky. But also beautiful!
@jonjones1553
He wrote this when he was seventeen.
@flimbambo
Absolutely! and I wish I could sing like that. That’s how an Englishman sings
@dodibenabba1378
Not sure what it's got to do with Jesus.....
@joelgoldman5790
He was 18. The song Reno, Nevada was a performed on French TV 12/1967.
Fame came fast in those days.
@markrae1317
One man, one voice, one acoustic guitar, one of the greatest performances in popular music! The man is a total genius!