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 Poor Ditching Boy
Richard Thompson Lyrics
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The river too weary to flood
The storming wind cut through to my skin
But she cut through to my blood
I was looking for trouble to tangle my line
But trouble came looking for me
I knew I was standing on treacherous ground
With her scheming, idle ways
She left me poor enough
The storming wind cut through to my skin
But she cut through to my blood
I would not be asking, I would not be seen
A-beggin' on mountain or hill
But I'm ready and blind with my hands tied behind
I've neither a mind nor a will
With her scheming, idle ways
She left me poor enough
The storming wind cut through to my skin
But she cut through to my blood
It's bitter the need of the poor ditching boy
He'll always believe what they say
They tell him it's hard to be honest and true
Does he mind if he doesn't get paid?
With her scheming, idle ways
She left me poor enough
The storming wind cut through to my skin
But she cut through to my blood
The lyrics of Poor Ditching Boy by Richard Thompson are filled with vivid emotion and poetic phrasing. The song speaks to the struggles and hardships faced by a young man who is trying to navigate through life with honesty and integrity but finds himself in a difficult situation.
The singer speaks of the bitter cold of winter, the weariness of the river, and the cutting wind that all seem to pale in comparison to the emotional pain caused by a woman. The woman's scheming and idle ways have left him poor, both materially and emotionally. He is trapped and unable to free himself from her influence, his hands tied behind his back.
One of the most poignant lines in the song is "It's bitter the need of the poor ditching boy." This line refers to the hard labor of digging ditches, which was often done by poor people who had no other options for work. The singer is comparing his own struggles to those of the poor ditching boy, who must work hard but is always told that honesty and integrity don't pay. The song ends with a sense of resignation and sadness, as he is left to wonder if honesty and hard work are truly worthwhile.
Overall, Poor Ditching Boy is a powerful commentary on the struggles faced by working-class people, particularly those who are trying to be honest in a world that often rewards dishonesty and deceit.
Line by Line Meaning
Was there ever a winter so cold and so sad
Has there ever been a winter so emotionally bleak?
The river too weary to flood
The river could not even muster the energy to flood
The storming wind cut through to my skin
The wind was so bitter it felt like being cut
But she cut through to my blood
Her actions cut deeply into me
I was looking for trouble to tangle my line
I was searching for danger to test my abilities
But trouble came looking for me
Trouble found me instead
I knew I was standing on treacherous ground
I was aware that I was taking a risk
I was sinking too fast to run free
I was in too deep to escape
With her scheming, idle ways
Because of her deceitful and lazy behavior
She left me poor enough
She caused me to be financially destitute
I would not be asking, I would not be seen
I would never want to be seen asking for help
A-beggin' on mountain or hill
Begging for assistance in any location
But I'm ready and blind with my hands tied behind
I am prepared, but also hindered and unaware
I've neither a mind nor a will
I lack both the emotional and mental capacity to do anything
It's bitter the need of the poor ditching boy
The necessity felt by the impoverished laborer is sorrowful
He'll always believe what they say
He will always be gullible to others' words
They tell him it's hard to be honest and true
Others inform him that it is difficult to be truthful and honorable
Does he mind if he doesn't get paid?
Is he okay with not receiving compensation?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Richard John (Gb1) Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris Smith
One of RT's best albums- sadly ignored by many (including me) on its release. I would love to hear him reviving these songs in his current concert performances.
Mark Stone
I saw him a couple of years ago, he was doing a acoustic request show and I requested this one. Was very happy when he played it, one of my favorites.
David T
I never, ever get tired of this song. The lyrcis, the melody, the playing - exquisite in every way.
Michael Selewach
Found this in the cutout bin for 33 cents back in 1972 (?). Knew him from Fairport but this album is up in my top 5 of all time. Desert island record.
russ Houldin
On top of everything else, very funny liner notes (by RT) to the vinyl. Like all his work, brilliant.
The Momur
RT was and is the greatest.
treefrog1956
Great to hear the original again
gringopig
Oh Richard, so nice
LaMax61auc
The RICHARD I PREFER.
vinobody
woaw I had never seen a human fly before