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.
Stony Ground
Richard Thompson Lyrics
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Fell for the widow from across the street
She clipped him in the ear, she told him what's what
But he couldn't keep his mind off her honey pot
Silly old man with his teeth all gone
Poking his nose where it don't belong
She's a rose all right but she's got thorns
Lost his heart to Buxom Betty
Throwing out the compliments like confetti
Left and right, he threw them all around
But everything was landed on stony ground
Silly old man with his teeth all gone
Poking his nose where it don't belong
She's a rose all right but she's got thorns
Working on stony ground
Widow's got a brother, henchman too
A pair of gorillas from the London Zoo
They call on Morris and they tell him what's what
But he can't keep his mind off her honey pot
Silly old man with his teeth all gone
Poking his nose where it don't belong
She's a rose all right but she's got thorns
Working on stony ground
Kicked him in the head, poked him in the eyes
Shoved him in the gutter and there he lies
Dripping with blood, dripping with snot
But he's still dreaming of her you-know-what
Silly old man with his teeth all gone
Poking his nose where it don't belong
She's a rose all right but she's got thorns
Working on stony ground
Working on stony ground
The lyrics to Richard Thompson's song "Stony Ground" are a cautionary tale about an old man, Morris, who falls for the widow across the street. Despite her clear warnings and the fact that she has a pair of menacing, protective brothers, Morris can't resist the lure of her "honey pot." He throws compliments around like confetti, ignoring the fact that everything he says lands on "stony ground," meaning that his advances are going nowhere. Despite being beaten up by the widow's brothers, Morris is still dreaming of her and her you-know-what.
The lyrics are a commentary on the dangers of ignoring warnings and persisting in pursuit of a love interest who is clearly not interested. Morris's foolish behavior puts him in harm's way, and he pays the price for his misguided persistence. The metaphor of "working on stony ground" emphasizes the futility of Morris's efforts and the fact that he is wasting his time, energy, and affection on a love interest who will never reciprocate.
Line by Line Meaning
Old Man Morris got it bad last week
Old Man Morris recently fell in love
Fell for the widow from across the street
He fell in love with a widow who lived across the street
She clipped him in the ear, she told him what's what
The woman he fell in love with scolded him and set him straight
But he couldn't keep his mind off her honey pot
Despite her rebuke, he continued to think of her in a romantic manner
Silly old man with his teeth all gone
An old man who is foolish and toothless
Poking his nose where it don't belong
Interfering in things that don't concern him
She's a rose all right but she's got thorns
The woman he fell in love with has good qualities but is also dangerous
Working on stony ground
Futilely trying to cultivate a romantic relationship
Lost his heart to Buxom Betty
Old Man Morris fell in love with a woman named Buxom Betty
Throwing out the compliments like confetti
He was showering her with compliments constantly
Left and right, he threw them all around
He was complimenting her frequently and indiscriminately
But everything was landed on stony ground
His compliments were not well received and had no effect
Widow's got a brother, henchman too
The woman he fell in love with has a brother who is her enforcer
A pair of gorillas from the London Zoo
Her brother and henchman are big and intimidating
They call on Morris and they tell him what's what
The enforcers threatened Old Man Morris and told him to stay away
But he can't keep his mind off her honey pot
Despite the danger, Old Man Morris continued to be infatuated with the woman
Kicked him in the head, poked him in the eyes
The enforcers physically assaulted Old Man Morris
Shoved him in the gutter and there he lies
Old Man Morris was beaten up and left in the street
Dripping with blood, dripping with snot
He was badly injured and in a bad state
But he's still dreaming of her you-know-what
Despite the beating, Old Man Morris continued to fantasize about the woman he fell for
Working on stony ground
He continued to try to cultivate a romantic relationship, but it was futile in the end
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Seamus Draed
If you like good songwriting, guitar work, etc. you owe it to yourself to listen to Richard Thompson A LOT!
Peter Daly
Would like to hear George Ezra do a cover
starman714
agree with Seamus on all points and would like to add wry humor and sharp wit to the list of etceteras