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.
Sam Jones
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chuck your old hocks out for my consideration
Thirty years a bone man, up and down the nation
Sam Jones deliver them bones
I've been among the shamrock and I've been among the thistle
I like it all picked over, clean as a whistle
No sign of meat on, no sign of gristle
I've seen battlefields white with human ivory
Noble dukes and princes stripped of flesh and finery
When the crows have done their job, they say that's the time for me
Sam Jones deliver them bones
And I even dream of bones when I'm lying very ill
Roomsfull of skeletons a-dancing the quadrille
Rows and rows of skulls singing Blueberry Hill
Sam Jones deliver them bones
And if you're unburied, the likes of me will find you
You're no good to worms, but you might become the finest glue
We'll grind you up and spread you out as fertiliser, too
Sam Jones deliver them bones
And I've got a lorry, it's me own boneshaker
Where's there old knuckle joints I'll be the undertaker
I'll come calling 'round just like the butcher and the baker
Sam Jones deliver them bones
Me name is Sam Jones and it's bones me occupation
Chuck your old hocks out for my consideration
Thirty years a bone man, up and down the nation
Sam Jones deliver them bones
Oh, Sam Jones deliver them bones
Sam Jones deliver them bones
The song "Sam Jones" by Richard Thompson is a humorous and slightly morbid ballad about a man named Sam Jones who makes his living as a bone collector. Sam has been in the business for thirty years and travels all over the country to collect bones. He proudly declares that he has seen battlefields that were "white with human ivory" and has stripped "noble dukes and princes" of their flesh and finery. Sam even dreams of bones and imagines rooms full of skeletons dancing the quadrille and singing "Blueberry Hill."
The chorus of the song emphasizes Sam's purpose and occupation, declaring that "Sam Jones deliver them bones." He takes pride in his work and tells his customers to "chuck your old hocks out for my consideration." Sam's job is not only about collecting bones, but also about finding a use for them. He states that bones can be ground up and used as fertilizer or turned into glue, showing that even in death, bones can serve a purpose.
Overall, "Sam Jones" is a playful yet slightly eerie song that explores the unique world of a bone collector. Through his lyrics, Richard Thompson highlights the value of bones and the sometimes strange ways in which they can be used.
Line by Line Meaning
Me name is Sam Jones and it's bones me occupation
My name is Sam Jones and my job is to collect bones.
Chuck your old hocks out for my consideration
Throw away your old bones and I'll consider collecting them.
Thirty years a bone man, up and down the nation
I've been collecting bones for thirty years, all over the country.
Sam Jones deliver them bones
I, Sam Jones, will collect your bones.
I've been among the shamrock and I've been among the thistle
I've traveled to both Ireland (shamrock) and Scotland (thistle) to collect bones.
I like it all picked over, clean as a whistle
I prefer bones that have been cleaned off completely.
No sign of meat on, no sign of gristle
I don't want any meat or fat left on the bones.
I've seen battlefields white with human ivory
I've collected bones from battlefields covered in white bones (ivory referring to bone color).
Noble dukes and princes stripped of flesh and finery
I've collected bones from important people who have been stripped of their fancy clothing and flesh.
When the crows have done their job, they say that's the time for me
After the scavenger birds have picked the flesh off of the bones, it's my time to collect them.
And I even dream of bones when I'm lying very ill
I even think about collecting bones when I'm sick.
Rooms full of skeletons a-dancing the quadrille
In my dreams, I see rooms full of skeletons dancing.
Rows and rows of skulls singing Blueberry Hill
In my dreams, I see rows of skulls singing a song called Blueberry Hill.
And if you're unburied, the likes of me will find you
If you're not buried, I'll find your bones and collect them.
You're no good to worms, but you might become the finest glue
If you're not buried, you won't be eaten by worms but instead used to make glue.
We'll grind you up and spread you out as fertiliser, too
Your bones can also be ground up and used as fertilizer.
And I've got a lorry, it's me own boneshaker
I have my own truck, which I call a boneshaker.
Where's there old knuckle joints I'll be the undertaker
If there are any old knuckle joints (bones) around, I'll be there to collect them like an undertaker at a funeral.
I'll come calling 'round just like the butcher and the baker
I'll arrive at your doorstep, just like the local butcher or baker.
Sam Jones deliver them bones
I, Sam Jones, will collect your bones.
Oh, Sam Jones deliver them bones
This line is a repeat of the previous, emphasizing Sam Jones' desire to collect bones.
Sam Jones deliver them bones
This line is a repeat of the previous, emphasizing Sam Jones' desire to collect bones.
Contributed by Owen R. 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.