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 Little Beggar Girl
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can call me a skiver and I'll call you the same
You can show me you're sorry if you think it's a shame
That I'm only a poor little beggar girl
Yes I'm only a poor little beggar girl
You can show me you're sorry if you think it's a shame
That I'm only a poor little beggar girl
I'll dance with my peg leg a-wiggling at the knee
For it's well worth it all to please a gent such as thee
For I'm only a poor little beggar girl
Yes I'm only a poor little beggar girl
And it's well worth it all to please a gent such as thee
For I'm only a poor little beggar girl
I've been down to London, I've been up to Crewe
I travel far and wide to do the work that I do
'Cause I love taking money off a snob like you
For I'm only a poor little beggar girl
Yes I'm only a poor little beggar girl
And I love taking money off a snob like you
For I'm only a poor little beggar girl
Oh the poor they will be rich and the rich they will be poor
That's according to Saul when he wrote down the law
And I'd much rather be rich after than before
For I'm only a poor little beggar girl
Yes I'm only a poor little beggar girl
And I'd much rather be rich after than before
For I'm only a poor little beggar girl
If the words of my song do your conscience alarm
Just remember generosity is like a lucky charm
If you give me your money, it'll do you no harm
For I'm only a poor little beggar girl
Yes I'm only a poor little beggar girl
If you give me your money, it'll do you no harm
For I'm only a poor little beggar girl
The Little Beggar Girl is a song by Richard Thompson that tells the story of a young girl who begs for money to make ends meet. The song opens with a statement from the girl, who introduces herself as "just a little beggar girl" named Sally. She acknowledges that others may call her a "skiver," or a lazy person, but she challenges the listener to recognize their own biases in doing so. Despite her lowly status, Sally has a certain pride in her abilities to play music and dance, which she describes in the second verse.
The third verse sees Sally declaring that she has traveled far and wide to do her work, which she describes as taking money off of people like the listener, whom she sees as snobbish. She takes pleasure in this work, and is unapologetic about it. The fourth and final verse takes a philosophical turn, citing a quote from the biblical book of Samuel about the fate of the rich and poor. Sally concludes that she would rather be rich after being poor than the other way around, and urges the listener to be generous with their money. Overall, the song presents a sympathetic and even empowering portrayal of a young woman who struggles to survive in a harsh world, using her wits and talents to get by.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just a little beggar girl and Sally is my name
I am a young girl who begs for a living, and Sally happens to be my name.
You can call me a skiver and I'll call you the same
If you insult me by calling me lazy, I will retaliate by calling you the same.
You can show me you're sorry if you think it's a shame That I'm only a poor little beggar girl
If you feel sympathy for my unfortunate circumstances of being a beggar, you can express your apology.
I'll dance with my peg leg a-wiggling at the knee I'll play on the accordion my father gave to me For it's well worth it all to please a gent such as thee For I'm only a poor little beggar girl
I will perform for you by dancing with my prosthetic leg and playing the accordion my father gifted me to gain your favor since pleasing someone like you is valuable for me as a beggar.
I've been down to London, I've been up to Crewe I travel far and wide to do the work that I do 'Cause I love taking money off a snob like you For I'm only a poor little beggar girl
I travel extensively to earn a living by begging, and I particularly enjoy getting money from people I consider haughty or snobbish since I am only a beggar girl.
Oh the poor they will be rich and the rich they will be poor That's according to Saul when he wrote down the law And I'd much rather be rich after than before For I'm only a poor little beggar girl
As written by Saul in the scripture, fortunes can change, and I would prefer to be wealthy later in life than at present since, as a beggar, I have limited means.
If the words of my song do your conscience alarm Just remember generosity is like a lucky charm If you give me your money, it'll do you no harm For I'm only a poor little beggar girl
If my song makes you feel uncomfortable or guilty, remember that acts of kindness will benefit you, and it will not hurt you to give me some of your money since I am only a beggar girl.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Richard John (Gb1) 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.