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.
Nobody
Richard Thompson Lyrics
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Everybody knew it was bound to be a hoot
What can you do when nothing else is cooking
Make your own amusement, bring a pile of loot
There was Alice the butcher, Tidy and Gunn
Who couldn't see where they were heading
It was sixteen days and sixteen nights,
What a great reception, all the people cried
Who stole the groom and who stole the bride
How did the countess slide underneath the door
Why is the wild boy chopping up the floor?
There was Alice the butcher, Tidy and Gunn
Who couldn't see where they were heading
It was sixteen days and sixteen nights,
And it weren't even nobody's wedding
I didn't hear the sound of the tin cans rattle
I didn't hear a teardrop, I didn't hear a prattle
Didn't hear the words of the bible being read
When it's nobody's wedding, nobody's wed
There was Alice the butcher, Tidy and Gunn
Who couldn't see where they were heading
It was sixteen days and sixteen nights,
And it weren't even nobody's wedding
The lyrics to Richard Thompson's Nobody tell a story of a wedding that no one planned, but everyone turned up for. The title suggests that nobody is getting married, and yet everybody is gathered together to celebrate something. The lyrics hint at a sense of desperation and boredom in the community, since they have nothing better to do than attend a non-existent wedding. The line "What can you do when nothing else is cooking, make your own amusement" speaks to this sense of ennui and the need for people to create their own distractions.
The song also features a cast of colorful characters, such as Alice the butcher, Tidy, Gunn, the Countess, and the wild boy who is chopping up the floor. These characters contribute to the surreal and absurd atmosphere of the song, where anything can happen and logic doesn't seem to apply. The line "How did the countess slide underneath the door" is a particularly striking image that suggests something both impossible and fascinating.
Overall, Richard Thompson's Nobody is a song that captures a sense of community, boredom, and the absurdity of human behavior. By telling a story of a wedding that isn't really a wedding, the song invites listeners to consider the strange things that people do in order to amuse themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody came to nobody's wedding
People showed up for an event that wasn't even significant
Everybody knew it was bound to be a hoot
All attendees anticipated it to be a fun time
What can you do when nothing else is cooking
When there's nothing else going on, you resort to creating your own entertainment
Make your own amusement, bring a pile of loot
Create fun for yourself, bring money to spend
There was Alice the butcher, Tidy and Gunn
Listing some names of attendees
Who couldn't see where they were heading
They lacked direction in their lives
It was sixteen days and sixteen nights,
The event went on for a long time
And it weren't even nobody's wedding
Despite the name of the event, there wasn't even a wedding occurring
What a great reception, all the people cried
Attendees enjoyed themselves and expressed their delight
Who stole the groom and who stole the bride
There was a commotion involving the wedding party
How did the countess slide underneath the door
A peculiar event occurred involving the countess fitting through a small space
Why is the wild boy chopping up the floor?
A wild character is causing chaos at the event
I didn't hear the sound of the tin cans rattle
There were no traditional wedding sounds
I didn't hear a teardrop, I didn't hear a prattle
There was no emotional or chatty aspects to the event
Didn't hear the words of the bible being read
There was no religious ceremony occurring
When it's nobody's wedding, nobody's wed
When there is no wedding happening, no one gets married
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Richard John (Gb1) Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
morristonian
As poor as this album sold ,I honestly think it's one of the best I ever bought. This is just one of many great tunes on it.
Paul Burgess
People just must not have been ready for it. It is a fantastic album.
Runner of the Woods
Great sounds the whole through. Almost a shame he didn't record 3-4 records with this setup.
Bruce Grime
love this tune
anudistsjury
2:06
Pat Buckley
Heel to heel and Toe to toe !!
daisy rabbit
May I have this dance?
Oded Fried-Gaon
#OdedFriedGaon #OdedMusic #Audioded