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.
Precious One
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thought you stood so sweet upon your own two feet
Precious one, precious one
Thought there was no breeze could bring you to your knees
But I was wrong
Precious one, precious one
Should have been a light to guide you through the night
Wanted to believe you had no need to grieve
But I was wrong
I was wrong, I was wrong
Should have wrapped my arms around you tight
To say, I'm here
What's done is done, what's done is done
Precious one, precious one
Wish there was a tide to bring me to your side
Precious one, precious one
Didn't want to run or leave it all undone
Oh, I was wrong
"Precious One" is a melancholy and honest song by Richard Thompson about regret and feeling guilty. The lyrics seem to be addressed to someone he cares about who was going through tough times. In the first verse, Thompson admits to misjudging the situation and believing the person was stronger than they really were. He regrets not being there for them when they needed support, as seen in the line "Should have been a light to guide you through the night." Thompson also acknowledges that he was wrong to assume that the person didn't need help and that his lack of intervention was a mistake.
In the chorus, Thompson repeats the phrase "I was wrong." This repetition emphasizes his regret and guilt. He wishes he had taken action and comforted the person when they were struggling. The final verse shows Thompson's desire to make things right with the person. He wishes he could somehow make amends and be with them through their hardships.
Overall, "Precious One" is a powerful song about the importance of being there for those we care about. It reminds us that we should never assume that someone is strong enough to handle everything on their own, and that sometimes we need to offer support, even when it's not explicitly asked for.
Line by Line Meaning
Precious one, precious one
Addressing the person who was thought to be special and important
Thought you stood so sweet upon your own two feet
Believed that they were strong and independent without any support
Thought there was no breeze could bring you to your knees
Believed that they were invincible and could not be easily affected by hardships
But I was wrong
Acknowledging that this belief was incorrect
Should have been a light to guide you through the night
Realizes that they could have been a source of guidance and support in difficult times
Wanted to believe you had no need to grieve
Desired to believe that they did not have to suffer and experience sadness
I was wrong, I was wrong
Admitting once again that their initial belief was inaccurate
Should have wrapped my arms around you tight
Wishes they could have been there physically to offer comfort and support
To say, I'm here
Wanted to express that they are available to help and support
What's done is done, what's done is done
Accepting that the past cannot be changed
Wish there was a tide to bring me to your side
Wishing that they could be with the person in their time of need
Didn't want to run or leave it all undone
Expressing a desire to not abandon the person or leave things unresolved
Oh, I was wrong
Reiterating that their misjudgment was a mistake
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CATHAL SMYTH, CHRISTOPHER FOREMAN, DANIEL WOODGATE, GRAHAM MCPHERSON, LEE THOMPSON, MARK BEDFORD, MICHAEL BARSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.