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.
Sibella
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
X-ray the deck to see what's coming
Mary Antoinette she smiled that way
Easy to smile when the luck is running
Like a myth you rode in from the west
From the go you had my button pressed
Did the tea-time of your soul make you long for wilder days?
Sibella, we don't make sense together
But my heart's with you
Sibella, I found myself
Strange but true, strange but true
Some say you can learn a lot from books
Thrill right to second-hand living
Life is just as deadly as it looks
But fiction is more forgiving
You took chances well within your means
Salon hair and creases in your jeans
All those lonely winters long, did you really think it through?
Did you really ache for me like I really ached for you?
Sibella, we don't make sense together
But my heart's with you
Sibella, I found myself
Strange but true, strange but true
Sibella, we don't make sense together
But my heart's with you
Sibella, I found myself
Strange but true, strange but true
Strange but true, strange but true
Strange but true
The song "Sibella" by Richard Thompson is a tale of two incompatible lovers who can't seem to let go of each other. The lyrics suggest that the female protagonist, Sibella, is a woman who lives life on the edge, taking chances well within her means, always looking for more out of life. Thompson uses powerful imagery to describe her character as he sings, "Like a myth you rode in from the west, from the go you had my button pressed. Did the tea-time of your soul make you long for wilder days?" suggesting that Sibella personifies a larger-than-life character, one that is larger than Thompson himself. The tone of the song is contemplative and introspective, as the singer tries to figure out why he is so drawn to Sibella despite their many differences and incompatibilities.
Throughout the song, Thompson uses vivid imagery to create a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time gone by, and he contrasts this with the stark realities of life, suggesting that Sibella is someone who lives in the fantastical world of fiction rather than the harsh realities of life. He sings, "Some say you can learn a lot from books, thrill right to second-hand living. Life is just as deadly as it looks, but fiction is more forgiving." This contrast creates a powerful sense of ambiguity, leaving the listener unsure whether to embrace Sibella's fantastical world or live in the stark reality of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh some girls hold the ace, the deuce, the trey
Some women are very lucky and can have anything they want
X-ray the deck to see what's coming
Check for hidden information or clues to predict the future
Mary Antoinette she smiled that way
Referring to the infamous queen of France, who was known for her arrogance and disregard for the poor
Easy to smile when the luck is running
It's easy to be happy when things are going well
Like a myth you rode in from the west
You came into my life like a legendary hero
From the go you had my button pressed
From the beginning, you had me completely under your control
Did the tea-time of your soul make you long for wilder days?
Did the mundane, civilized aspects of your life make you yearn for more excitement?
Did you never let Jack Kerouac wash over you in waves?
Did you never immerse yourself in the raw, untamed energy of the Beat Generation, as described by writer Jack Kerouac?
Sibella, we don't make sense together
We may not seem compatible or logical as a pair
But my heart's with you
Despite this, I still have strong feelings for you
I found myself
Being with you has allowed me to discover new things about myself
Some say you can learn a lot from books
Reading can provide valuable knowledge and insights
Thrill right to second-hand living
Some people enjoy living vicariously through the experiences of others
Life is just as deadly as it looks
Life can be dangerous and fatal, just as it appears
But fiction is more forgiving
Fictional stories are more forgiving and can allow us to escape our troubles for a time
You took chances well within your means
You were careful not to take too many risks or act recklessly
Salon hair and creases in your jeans
You had a polished and put-together appearance, but still maintained a sense of casualness
All those lonely winters long, did you really think it through?
During times of isolation and introspection, did you truly consider your actions and decisions?
Did you really ache for me like I really ached for you?
Did you feel the same longing and pain for me that I did for you?
Strange but true, strange but true
Despite the unconventional nature of our relationship, it remains a fact that we still have a strong connection
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
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.