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.
Mole In A Hole
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the flowers, like the bees
Like the woodlands and the trees
I like the Byrds on their LP's
And I'm a refugee
(Chorus)
I wanna be a mole in a hole, digging low and slow
I wanna be a mole in a hole, digging low and slow
I wanna be a fly flying high in the sky
I had a friend who had a friend in Jesus
He used to read the good book every day
But my friend got so friendly with friend Jesus
Friend Jesus took my only friend away
(Chorus)
Well, my feet are smelly and hair's a mess
My teeth are yellow and I've got bad breath
I may look great but I feel like death
And I'm a refugee
(Chorus)
My friend he was as wise as Mister Wise Owl
He could count from one to ten, from A to Z
My friend he was so wise he got religion
That's why I'm alive today and he is dead
(Chorus)
In "Mole in a Hole," Richard Thompson tells the story of a character who feels disconnected from society and seeks solace by imagining himself as either a mole digging in the ground or a fly soaring high in the sky. The lyrics convey a sense of isolation and rejection as the singer feels like a refugee. The line "I had a friend who had a friend in Jesus / He used to read the good book every day / But my friend got so friendly with friend Jesus / Friend Jesus took my only friend away" is an ironic statement about religion and how sometimes, it can have the opposite effect of what is intended, causing division and breaking apart friendships.
The song suggests that the singer's strange habits and appearance have caused him to feel like an outcast, which is one reason why he desires to be a mole, flying high in the sky, or anything else that sets him apart from others. Even though the character acknowledges his physical unattractiveness, he remains stubborn in his refusal to conform to societal norms. The song's final lyrics speak of the singer's friendship with someone who was wise and religious, noting how that person's faith led to his death while the singer endured his life.
Overall, "Mole in a Hole" is a song about the desire for escape and the search for identity in an unforgiving world.
Line by Line Meaning
Like the flowers, like the bees
Similar to the beauty of a flower, and the work ethic of a bee.
Like the woodlands and the trees
Similar to the enduring essence of a forest or a tree.
I like the Byrds on their LP's
I enjoy the Byrds and their music when played on long-playing records.
And I'm a refugee
I am displaced and seeking refuge in a new location over some tragedy.
Chorus: I wanna be a mole in a hole, digging low and slow
I wanna be a fly flying high in the sky
I wish to experience the escape of digging into the soil like a mole, and the freedom of flight like a fly.
I had a friend who had a friend in Jesus
He used to read the good book every day
But my friend got so friendly with friend Jesus
Friend Jesus took my only friend away
I knew someone who was devoted to Christ and frequently read about him. This person became so very close to Christ that it felt like Christ removed my friend from my life.
Well, my feet are smelly and hair's a mess
My teeth are yellow and I've got bad breath
I may look great but I feel like death
And I'm a refugee
Although I may appear acceptable, I feel terrible inside- displaced and uncomfortable.
Chorus: I wanna be a mole in a hole, digging low and slow
I wanna be a fly flying high in the sky
I wish to experience the escape of digging into the soil like a mole, and the freedom of flight like a fly.
My friend he was as wise as Mister Wise Owl
He could count from one to ten, from A to Z
My friend he was so wise he got religion
That's why I'm alive today and he is dead
I knew someone who was wise and knowledgeable in a variety of subjects. This person was so knowledgeable that they were able to attain a religious enlightenment that eventually led to their demise. Because I didn't obtain this level of enlightenment, I am still alive.
Chorus: I wanna be a mole in a hole, digging low and slow
I wanna be a fly flying high in the sky
I wish to experience the escape of digging into the soil like a mole, and the freedom of flight like a fly.
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ken Soehn
on Love in a Faithless Country
At a show at the Culch (The Vancouver East Cultural Centre) decades ago, Thompson said the song was inspired by two British serial killers, who seemed to be inspiring each other through the newspapers. Now you know why it sounds so spooky.
Mark Apelman
on Devonside
Not sure what this song means, but I love the feeling of it.