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.
The Calvary Cross
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The pale-faced lady she said to me
I've watched you with my one green eye
And I'll hurt you 'till you need me
You scuff your heels and you spit on your shoes
You do nothing with reason
One day you catch a train
Never leaves the station
Everything you do
Everything you do
You do for me
Now you can make believe on your tin whistle
And you can be my broom-boy
Scrub me 'till I shine in the dark
I'll be your light 'till doomsday
Oh it's a black cat cross your path
And why don't you follow
My claw's in you and my lights in you
This is your first day of sorrow
Everything you do
Everything you do
You do for me
The lyrics to Richard & Linda Thompson's song "The Calvary Cross" seem to be taking on a darker, almost supernatural tone. The singer finds themselves under the Calvary Cross, a symbolic reference to Christ's crucifixion, and is approached by a pale-faced lady who has been watching them. She tells the singer that she will hurt them until they need her and criticizes their every action, saying that they do nothing with reason.
The lyrics take a turn towards the eerie when the pale-faced lady tells the singer that everything they do, they do for her. She seems to be a malevolent force, suggesting that the singer can make believe on their tin whistle and be her broom-boy, scrubbing her until she shines in the dark. The pale-faced lady claims that her claws are in the singer and her lights are in the singer, causing the singer their first day of sorrow.
One interpretation of this song could be that the pale-faced lady represents some sort of malevolent, otherworldly force that is trying to control the singer. The lyrics suggest that no matter what the singer does, they are doing it for this force, and it will hurt them until they need it. It's a haunting, somewhat unsettling song that leaves the listener feeling almost as though they, too, are under the Calvary Cross and being watched by the pale-faced lady.
Line by Line Meaning
I was under the Calvary Cross
I was feeling lost and searching for something bigger than myself.
The pale-faced lady she said to me
An ethereal presence addressed me in a mysterious manner.
I've watched you with my one green eye
You've been under my observation for a while now and I'm singling you out.
And I'll hurt you 'til you need me
My testing and trials of you will be traumatic and injurious, but they will ultimately lead you to me.
You scuff your heels and you spit on your shoes
You're careless and reckless in your actions.
You do nothing with reason
Your behavior lacks logic and purpose.
One day you catch a train
You will embark on a journey that has potential for change and growth.
Never leaves the station
But ultimately the train does not depart, indicating you are stagnant in your current state.
Everything you do
Everything you do
You do for me
The woman represents a higher power or authority figure who demands loyalty and obedience from the artist.
Now you can make believe on your tin whistle
You can indulge in your delusions or fantasies.
And you can be my broom-boy
You can serve and submit to me like a lowly maid or servant.
Scrub me 'til I shine in the dark
Your purpose is to make me look better or impress me, even in the darkest of times.
I'll be your light 'til doomsday
The woman will be a source of guidance and support until the end of time or a catastrophic event.
Oh it's a black cat cross your path
The black cat is a symbol of bad luck that follows the singer.
And why don't you follow
The woman challenges the singer to follow her instead of the unlucky cat.
My claw's in you and my lights in you
The woman has a hold on the artist and is manipulating him with her power and influence.
This is your first day of sorrow
The artist is entering a period of hardship and pain under the woman's control.
Lyrics Ā© BMG Rights Management
Written by: Richard John (Gb1) Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deliveriders2592
I was under the Calvary Cross
The pale-faced lady she said to me
I've watched you with my one green eye
And I'll hurt you till you need me
You scuff your heels and you spit on your shoes
You do nothing with reason
One day you catch a train
Never leaves the station
Everything you do
Everything you do
You do for me
Now you can make believe on your tin whistle
Ah, you can be my broom boy
Scrub me till I shine in the dark
I'll be your light till doomsday
Oh, it's a black cat cross your path
And why don't you follow
My claw's in you and my light's in you
This is your first day of sorrow
Everything you do
Everything you do
You do for me
@Jack-ns9sz
Who else is here after watching 'The Night House'?
@k.leeadams9918
Me! šš
@Sunny-xc9kv
Yes! That movie will stay with me fora long time. Genius.
@gerardo7524
Movie was trippy, when this song came on I was like wow
@hahayoyo456
HAHAHHA YES
@Bristol840
Exactly why Iām here! Omg lol
@ht1560
This was our wedding song. Sometimes I listen to it on my stereo system while I'm building our new lake house and my wife films me. Can't wait until I am done with the house so I can spend time in my new boat. I cant imagine anything going wrong.
@mattbailey1318
>_>
Owen, is that you?
@Kels21869
Creepy and delusional
@gnostikmindz
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