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.
Night Comes In
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How can there be, be another day?
Take my hand, oh real companion
And we'll dance, dance till we fade away
Oh, the songs pour down like silver
They can only, only break my heart
Drink the wine, the wine of lovers
Dancing till my feet don't touch the ground
I lose my mind in dance forever
Lose my mind in dance forever
Turn my world around
Turn my world around
Oh, this night is like no other
And this room is ringing in my ears
And these friends will never leave me
And these tears are like no other tears
Dancing till my feet don't touch the ground
I lose my mind in dance forever
Lose my mind in dance forever
Turn my world around
Turn my world around
The lyrics of Richard Thompson's Night Comes In convey the sensation of the passage of time and the cycle of life. The metaphor of the night as a cool river is a symbol of this flow, but also causes fear and anxiety - how is it possible that there will be another day? The invitation to dancing is a way of facing the unknown, of accepting that everything is ephemeral and that it is necessary to enjoy life to the fullest, even if only for a moment. The reference to wine and the fatigue of the long-distance lovers, reinforces this idea of how ephemeral life is and how important it is to celebrate it.
Line by Line Meaning
Night comes in, like some cool river
The night arrives gradually and calmly, much like a peaceful flowing river.
How can there be, be another day?
The singer wonders how he can face another day, as he is currently caught up in the present moment.
Take my hand, oh real companion
The singer invites a trusted friend to join him in experiencing the moment together.
And we'll dance, dance till we fade away
The pair plan to enjoy the moment of being alive and present through dancing until it ends.
Oh, the songs pour down like silver
The music playing is beautiful and emotionally impactful, much like the shine of silver.
They can only, only break my heart
Despite the beauty of the music, the emotional weight of it can be heartbreaking.
Drink the wine, the wine of lovers
The singer encourages himself and others around him to enjoy the passionate love that is represented by the wine they are drinking.
Lovers tired of being apart
Those drinking the wine are likely tired from the pain of long-distance relationships and seek solace in each other's company.
Dancing till my feet don't touch the ground
The artist is in a state of such euphoria that dancing makes it feel as though he is floating above the ground.
I lose my mind in dance forever
The artist is so caught up in the moment that he loses his sense of self-consciousness and transcends reality through dance.
Turn my world around
The experience is so life-changing that it fundamentally alters the singer's perspective and sense of existence.
Oh, this night is like no other
The experience of this night is unique and will remain with the artist forever.
And this room is ringing in my ears
The emotions and memories of the room are so intense that they continue to affect the singer long after the night has ended.
And these friends will never leave me
The singer's companions on this night have forged a bond that will remain with him even as time passes.
And these tears are like no other tears
The tears shed are unique in their emotional weight and impact on the singer, encapsulating the intensity of the night's experience.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dennismccunney4462
I own about 1,200 albums. If you told me I'd be marooned on a desert island with a stereo but only 10 of my albums, it would be real hard to not make them all Richard's work. I bought this when it came out. Copies popped up in the remainder bin at a store near where I worked, and I recommended that a co-worker get it. He did. The next day he reported "My girlfriend and I listened to it. Then we listened to it about 5 more times..." Well, yeah. Night Comes In may be my favorite song, period.
@jonwellman9020
You chose well.
@ThefightingCelt
Night Comes In is just other worldly . Easily in my top five of all the great Richard Thompson's songs . It sends shivers down my spine every time I listen to it .
@nightsketcher
hokey pokey will do that, too ;-)
@debrabish1494
agreed
@harmoniabalanza
His and Linda's music is like the gift of fire sent by God to the heart. I sing several of the songs, what an experience, a journey to the planet of real music.
@williamandrews4251
Great song got me through so real hard times.Thanks Richard and Linda you are brilliant.
@christopherheinig5590
Listened to this lp constantly at 16 and 17, the "silver pouring down' is RT's hammered dulcimer., I have nothing but love for the soul of this great, great music. Haven't had a great listen to this for I don't know how many eons !!! Thank you for sharing, Happy everything !!!
@bruwatso9179
Fractured grandeur. (No wonder he's Neil Young's favorite guitarist). It's still fresh after all these years, and probably one of the best ever 'slow burn' electric guitar introductions/fade-outs ever.
@seckhoffable
Yeah but what about the live "Calvary Cross"?