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.
Roll Over Vaughn Williams
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting 'till the dance begins
Carefully we come to speak
A word for all to hear
If you listen, if you should
We won't be misunderstood
But don't expect the words to ring
Too sweetly on the ear
Live in fear, live in fear
Live in fear
In the gutter, in the street
Off his head or off his feet
Listen to the scratchy voices
Eating at your nerves
Pencils ready, paper dry
Shoot the girls and make 'em cry
Run for cover, things are bad
But now they're getting worse
Live in fear, live in fear
Live in fear, live in fear
Is it painful, is it right?
Does it keep you warm at night?
Fool your friends and fool yourself
The choice is crystal clear
If you break it on your knee
Better men might disagree
Do you laugh or do you stick
Your finger in your ear?
Live in fear, live in fear
Live in fear, live in fear
Richard Thompson's song "Roll Over Vaughn Williams" is a scathing critique of modern society and its preoccupation with fear-based living. The song starts with addressing the audience as "Gentle ladies, gentleman Waiting 'till the dance begins" and telling them, "Carefully we come to speak a word for all to hear." This suggests he is addressing a general audience or perhaps even politicians or other public figures to take note of what he has to say.
The line "If you listen, if you should, we won't be misunderstood, but don't expect the words to ring too sweetly on the ear" seems to be a warning that Thompson's message may not be palatable or easy to digest. He then goes on to paint a bleak picture of society, with references to "the gutter, in the street, off his head or off his feet" and "scratchy voices eating at your nerves." The lyrics seem to be criticizing the media and its role in creating and perpetuating fear, possibly referencing the way news outlets milk stories for all they're worth, even if it means whipping up hysteria.
The refrain, "Live in fear, live in fear, Live in fear" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the theme of how society is driven by fear. The chorus questions the morality of living in constant fear, asking "Is it painful, is it right? Does it keep you warm at night?" He goes on to give instructions on how to navigate living in a climate of fear, "Shoot the girls and make 'em cry, Run for cover, things are bad, But now they're getting worse." There is a sense of hopelessness in these lines, suggesting that despite one's best efforts, it is impossible to escape from the pervasive climate of fear.
Line by Line Meaning
Gentle ladies, gentleman
Addressing the crowd in a polite and formal manner, with an air of sophistication.
Waiting 'till the dance begins
Waiting patiently for something to happen, for a performance or event to start.
Carefully we come to speak
Speaking in a measured and deliberate manner, thinking before we talk.
A word for all to hear
Speaking to the masses, hoping to reach everyone.
If you listen, if you should
Asking the audience to pay attention, to hear what we have to say.
We won't be misunderstood
Assurance that we are communicating clearly and effectively, so our message won't be misinterpreted.
But don't expect the words to ring
Words may not sound good or be easy to hear or accept.
Too sweetly on the ear
Words may not be pleasant, agreeable or give comfort.
Live in fear, live in fear
Anxiety, dread, apprehension are overwhelming emotions.
In the gutter, in the street
Places of poverty or destitution, places of crime or unrest.
Off his head or off his feet
People who are crazy or drunk, unable to control themselves.
Listen to the scratchy voices
People making unpleasant, harsh or grating sounds.
Eating at your nerves
Causing or increasing anxiety, irritating one's emotions.
Pencils ready, paper dry
Being prepared to remember or record events.
Shoot the girls and make 'em cry
Harming, injuring or killing women, causing them to weep.
Run for cover, things are bad
Seeking refuge or safety because of dangerous or threatening events.
But now they're getting worse
The situation has escalated or intensified, becoming more dangerous or severe.
Is it painful, is it right?
Questioning the morality or ethics of a situation.
Does it keep you warm at night?
Asking if the situation provides comfort or security.
Fool your friends and fool yourself
Deceiving others and deceiving oneself.
The choice is crystal clear
The decision is obvious, easy to make.
If you break it on your knee
If you test it or try to see how durable it is, usually to destruction.
Better men might disagree
There will be dissenting opinions or better ideas from others.
Do you laugh or do you stick your finger in your ear?
Responding to a situation with either amusement or refusal to listen to it.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alexander Greenwald, Jason Schwartzmann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A Albi
3 weeks ago
One of the most brilliant, unknown, hammer-on electric guitar solos of all time.
daisy rabbit
oh, cool!❤
simon skinner
THE most brilliant ever
ej s
A lot of his songs sound like they're from 300 hundred years ago, played by a Scottish alien guitar freak with 20 fingers. In the best possible way. RT is the man
Lynda Miller
ej s That might be the best description I've ever heard of Richard Thompson!
Dennis McCunney
I saw Richard in a solo gig in NYC years back. There was a chap front and center by the stage. He was obviously also a guitarist, and staring with a rapt expression that broadcast "I see him playing the notes, I hear the notes he's playing, and I sill can't believe he's doing that!" I agreed completely.
Paul Maney
I have over 20 of Richard's lps. on vinyl and this is still my favorite! Absitively lunatastic!
jack sterner
Why Richard Thompson doesn't consider this to be his best album is way! way!! way!!! beyond me. Yeah, you're right: I'm sitting at the bar with my face in the jar. Maybe the best Celtic rock album of all time.
Scott Davison
Still have my original vinyl copy of this incredible album!
beetlebum
Well, it was never released on bloody CD, was it?