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.
Stumble On
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't want to end it anyhow
We knew this time would come before too long
Love, how will I learn to stumble on?
We stole a few short moments out of time
Just long enough for a little light to shine
Now the door swings closed, the dark has come
Stumble on
Stumble on
Stumble on
You taught me all the easy ways of love
You brought joy to my life and that's enough
I've learned how long the night is when you're gone
Love, how will I learn to stumble on?
Stumble on
Stumble on
Stumble on
Now the scene will slowly fade to black
Whatever else you do, love don't look back
You'll only see a man whose dream is gone
Love, how will I learn to stumble on?
Stumble on
Stumble on
Stumble on
Richard Thompson's song Stumble On portrays a melancholic story of a failing relationship. The lyrics reflect on the inevitability of breakups and how difficult it could be to move on from a love lost. Thompson admits that there is no easy way to end a relationship and doesn't want to end it in any way. The lyrics almost paint a picture of frustration toward the relationship but also the sadness that comes with its termination. The line "We knew this time would come before too long" shows that the end of the relationship has been on the horizon for some time.
The lyrics also describe how the relationship existed in finite moments, "We stole a few short moments out of time, just long enough for a little light to shine." These moments seem to have been few and far between and have come to an end. A door has closed and the dark has come, alluding to the end of the relationship. The phrase "Love, how will I learn to stumble on?" is repeated as a way of asking how he will proceed into the future without a sense of ease.
The whole song is full of metaphors, such as the line "Now the scene will slowly fade to black, Whatever else you do, love, don't look back" this line represents the end of the relationship, the curtains close and the scene goes black. He doesn't want to look back or relive the memories because it'll only remind him of the dream he once had, and now is gone.
Line by Line Meaning
No easy way to say, it's over now
Breaking up is never easy or comfortable, but in this case, it is necessary and inevitable.
And I don't want to end it anyhow
Although the relationship is over, the singer is not ready to let it go just yet.
We knew this time would come before too long
The couple had a feeling that the relationship would be short-lived, but still hoped for the best.
Love, how will I learn to stumble on?
The singer is struggling to move on from the break-up and wonders how he will adjust to life after the relationship.
We stole a few short moments out of time
The couple had brief periods of happiness despite knowing it wouldn't last long.
Just long enough for a little light to shine
The moments of happiness served as a brief respite from the looming end of the relationship.
Now the door swings closed, the dark has come
The relationship has ended abruptly, and the singer is struggling to cope with the sudden darkness.
You taught me all the easy ways of love
The ex-partner showed the singer how to love and brought happiness to their life.
You brought joy to my life and that's enough
Despite the end of the relationship, the happiness the ex-partner brought to the singer's life still means something.
I've learned how long the night is when you're gone
The singer is struggling to cope with the loss of his partner and feels the pain of loneliness.
Now the scene will slowly fade to black
The relationship is officially over, and the singer has to come to terms with the finality of it.
Whatever else you do, love don't look back
Although it is tempting to reminisce on the good times, it is important to look forward and start to move on.
You'll only see a man whose dream is gone
If the ex-partner looks back, all they will see is the singer, who is heartbroken and struggling to move on.
Love, how will I learn to stumble on?
The singer feels lost and in despair, questioning how he will find the strength to move on without his partner.
Stumble on
The repeated phrase 'Stumble on' emphasizes the singer's struggle to walk on and carry on with life despite the pain of the break-up.
Stumble on
The repeated phrase 'Stumble on' emphasizes the singer's struggle to walk on and carry on with life despite the pain of the break-up.
Stumble on
The repeated phrase 'Stumble on' emphasizes the singer's struggle to walk on and carry on with life despite the pain of the break-up.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marshall Wade
One of the most beautiful odes to a lost love that I've heard in a very long time.
Thank you, Richard Thompson
This song can also be heard being performed "Live" by Thompson on a DVD
Kay Zinti
No easy way to say, it's over now
And I don't want to end it anyhow
We knew this time would come before too long
Love, how will I learn to stumble on?
We stole a few short moments out of time
Just long enough for a little light to shine
Now the door swings closed, the dark has come
Love, how will I learn to stumble on?
Stumble on
Stumble on
Stumble on
You taught me all the easy ways of love
You brought joy to my life and that's enough
I've learned how long the night is when you're gone
Love, how will I learn to stumble on?
Stumble on
Stumble on
Stumble on
Now the scene will slowly fade to black
Whatever else you do, love don't look back
You'll only see a man whose dream is gone
Love, how will I learn to stumble on?
Stumble on
Stumble on
Stumble on
Wilshare
This could be about other loves,a sibling,a parent,a brother or sister of the heart.. Maybe even the creator when we hit the wall called 'the dark night of the soul'. Truly in awe!!!