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 Rattle Within
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jesus save you from the bottle of gin
Voodoo save you from a sleepwalk woman
Who's gonna save you from the rattle within?
Well, that voice might come when you're taking your pleasure
The voice might come when you're resting your bones
Seek you out when you're sad or smiling
Just when you think that your horses are running
Just when you think that you're fixing to win
There's that wandering deep inside you
Who's gonna save you from the rattle within?
Save me, save me, save me
From the rattle within
He wears your shirt and he wears your shoes
He's living right there inside your skin
You've got notions, he's got notions
Who's gonna save you from the rattle within?
Well, a man's made of muscle
And he's gonna wrestle
But when he gets weary, he ain't gonna win
Who's gonna save you when the tank is empty?
Who's gonna save you from the rattle within?
Ah, just when you think that your horses are ready
Just when you think that you're fixing to win
There's that wandering deep inside you
Who's gonna save you from the rattle within?
Save me, save me, save me
From the rattle within
Well, holy man save you from a dance with the Devil
Jesus save you from the bottle of gin
Voodoo save you from a sleepwalk woman
Who's gonna save you from the rattle within?
Who's gonna save you from the rattle within?
Who's gonna save you from the rattle within?
"The Rattle Within" is a song by Richard Thompson that explores the inner turmoil and restlessness that can plague a person despite external efforts to find salvation or escape. The song opens with a series of potential saviors - a holy man, Jesus, and voodoo - all of whom could potentially save the singer from external demons, but none of whom can save him from the "rattle within." This rattling is described as a voice that can come at any time, disrupting moments of pleasure, rest, sadness or happiness. It is an inescapable part of the singer's psyche that threatens to undermine any triumphs or moments of peace.
The refrain of the song repeats the plea for salvation, "save me, save me, save me," but no one seems to be able to answer that call. The second verse introduces the idea that the "rattle within" is like a separate entity that lives within the singer, wearing his clothes and sharing his body but possessing its own "notions." The song closes with a repetition of the opening verse, solidifying the idea that the singer is stuck in a cycle of seeking external solutions to internal problems.
Overall, "The Rattle Within" is a powerful meditation on the difficulties of finding inner peace and contentment, no matter how many external solutions or distractions we may seek out. It highlights the idea that true salvation and healing must come from within.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, holy man save you from a dance with the Devil
A religious figure may keep you from sin and temptation
Jesus save you from the bottle of gin
Faith may help you overcome addiction or temptation
Voodoo save you from a sleepwalk woman
Belief in magic or superstition may protect you from dangerous people or situations
Who's gonna save you from the rattle within?
Anxiety or internal conflict can't be easily resolved with outside help
Well, that voice might come when you're taking your pleasure
Internal conflict can arise at any moment, even when things are going well
The voice might come when you're resting your bones
Internal conflict can arise even in moments of rest or relaxation
Seek you out when you're sad or smiling
Internal conflict can arise under different emotional circumstances
Drags you down when you think you're alone
Internal conflict can make one feel isolated and helpless
Just when you think that your horses are running
Internal conflict can arise even when things seem to be going well
Just when you think that you're fixing to win
Internal conflict can arise even when victory seems close
There's that wandering deep inside you
Internal conflict comes from a deep place within oneself
He wears your shirt and he wears your shoes
Internal conflict is a part of oneself, inseparable from personal identity
You've got notions, he's got notions
Internal conflict involves competing ideas or desires within oneself
Well, a man's made of muscle
One's strength and resilience can only go so far
And he's gonna wrestle
One must confront and struggle with internal conflict
But when he gets weary, he ain't gonna win
Internal conflict can become overwhelming and difficult to overcome
Who's gonna save you when the tank is empty?
When one's internal resources are exhausted, it's difficult to keep going
Ah, just when you think that your horses are ready
Internal conflict can arise unexpectedly and disrupt one's plans
Who's gonna save you from the rattle within?
Internal conflict can only be resolved from within oneself, no outside force can fix it
Save me, save me, save me
A plea for help in dealing with internal conflict
Well, holy man save you from a dance with the Devil
Believing in a higher power can help one resist temptation and sin
Jesus save you from the bottle of gin
Faith in Jesus or religion can help one overcome addiction or temptation
Voodoo save you from a sleepwalk woman
Belief in magic or superstition can offer protection from danger or harm
Who's gonna save you from the rattle within?
Internal conflict can be a constant struggle, with no easy solution
Who's gonna save you from the rattle within?
One must confront and overcome internal conflict themselves
Who's gonna save you from the rattle within?
Internal conflict is an ongoing struggle that requires personal strength and resilience
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Richard 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.