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.

Miss Patsy
Richard Thompson Lyrics

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My dearest Miss Patsy, I'm writing to say
That I'm sorry to not be in touch
It?s been quite a parade, but my thoughts never strayed
Too far, or too long, or too much

Miss Patsy, forgive all the choices I made
I've been fighting shadows on the wrong crusade
Looking for ghosts in a penny arcade

Miss Patsy, no more will I roam
Miss Patsy, won't you carry me home?

They held me to ransom back there in the foothills
And nobody stumped up a bean
Not Swifty, nor Eddie, came up with the ready
It can make you think people plain mean

I've been hanging out with some virtuous people
They emptied my bank account twice
They gave me self-confidence, even some clothes
And a truckload of love and advice

When they gave out the cyanide pills with a wink
And said, "Wait for the word, any day now, we think"
I knew it was time to pull back from the brink
Miss Patsy, no more will I roam
Miss Patsy, won't you carry me home?

Miss Patsy, I looked at myself in the mirror
Decided I needed some work
Got me a nose job, a shave and a haircut
To drive all them ladies berserk

But the arm 'round my waist was a man in dark blue
He said, "ain't you him? we've been looking for you"
Now I'm sharing a cell with a holy kung fu

Miss Patsy, no more will I roam
Miss Patsy, won't you carry me home?

Overall Meaning

The song "Miss Patsy" by British singer-songwriter Richard Thompson tells the story of a man apologizing to a woman named Miss Patsy for not being in touch. He tells her that he has been on a wrong crusade, fighting shadows, and looking for ghosts in a penny arcade. However, he promises that he will no longer roam and begs her to carry him home.

Throughout the song, the singer talks about his missteps, including being kidnapped in the foothills, hanging out with virtuous people who emptied his bank account twice, and getting a nose job and a shave. His failed endeavors make him realize that he needs to come back to Miss Patsy, who might represent a sense of stability and trustworthiness for him.

Overall, the lyrics display the singer's emotional vulnerability and a desire for redemption and forgiveness. Miss Patsy seems to offer him a way back to a grounded reality, where he can find comfort and assurance. The song is written with delicate language and metaphors that suggest a deeper meaning than what appears on the surface, making it a powerful piece of art.

Line by Line Meaning

My dearest Miss Patsy, I'm writing to say That I'm sorry to not be in touch It?s been quite a parade, but my thoughts never strayed Too far, or too long, or too much
The singer apologizes for not communicating with Miss Patsy sooner, but despite being occupied with various events, their thoughts have always lingered on Miss Patsy.

Miss Patsy, forgive all the choices I made I've been fighting shadows on the wrong crusade Looking for ghosts in a penny arcade Miss Patsy, no more will I roam Miss Patsy, won't you carry me home?
The singer confesses to making poor decisions and fighting pointless battles, wasting their time looking for something that never existed. Ultimately, they seek Miss Patsy's forgiveness and a permanent return home.

They held me to ransom back there in the foothills And nobody stumped up a bean Not Swifty, nor Eddie, came up with the ready It can make you think people plain mean
The singer was kidnapped and no one bothered to pay a ransom, causing them to question the kindness of people they thought they could trust.

I've been hanging out with some virtuous people They emptied my bank account twice They gave me self-confidence, even some clothes And a truckload of love and advice
The artist fell in with a group of seemingly virtuous people who actually took advantage of them, stealing their money while pretending to offer support and encouragement.

When they gave out the cyanide pills with a wink And said, "Wait for the word, any day now, we think" I knew it was time to pull back from the brink Miss Patsy, no more will I roam Miss Patsy, won't you carry me home?
The artist realizes the extreme danger of the situation they're in and decides to escape before it's too late. They once again ask Miss Patsy to take them home.

Miss Patsy, I looked at myself in the mirror Decided I needed some work Got me a nose job, a shave and a haircut To drive all them ladies berserk
The singer changed their physical appearance to attract attention and increase their romantic prospects.

But the arm 'round my waist was a man in dark blue He said, "ain't you him? we've been looking for you" Now I'm sharing a cell with a holy kung fu Miss Patsy, no more will I roam Miss Patsy, won't you carry me home?
The singer was mistaken for someone else and arrested by law enforcement, now sharing a cell with someone skilled in martial arts. They once again plead to Miss Patsy to rescue them and bring them back home.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RICHARD THOMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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