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.
We Sing Hallelujah
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On a rusty cart
He sings his song as he rattles along
And then he falls apart
And we'll sing hallelujah
At the turning of the year
And we work all day in the old-fashioned way
A man is like a briar
He covers himself with thorns
He laughs like a clown when his fortune's down
And his clothes are ragged and torn
And we'll sing hallelujah
At the turning of the year
And we work all day in the old-fashioned way
Till the shining star appears
A man is like a three string fiddle
Hanging up on the wall
He plays when somebody scrapes on the bow
Or he can't play at all
And we'll sing hallelujah
At the turning of the year
And we work all day in the old-fashioned way
Till the shining star appears
A man is like his father
Wishes he never was born
He longs for the time when the clock will chime
And he's dead forevermore
And we'll sing hallelujah
At the turning of the year
And we work all day in the old-fashioned way
Till the shining star appears
And we'll sing hallelujah
At the turning of the year
And we work all day in the old-fashioned way
Till the shining star appears
In "We Sing Hallelujah," Richard and Linda Thompson contemplate the human condition through different metaphors. The lyrics suggest that a man is like a rusty wheel on a cart, a briar covered in thorns, and a three-string fiddle that can only play when scraped by a bow or not at all. The fourth verse is perhaps the bleakest, with the man wishing he was never born and longing for death. Despite these melancholic reflections, the chorus brings a glimmer of hope with the promise of hallelujah singing and the anticipation of a shining star.
The song's repetition of metaphors connects to the traditional folk practice of using allegories to frame ideas and emotions in storytelling. The imagery used in the song serves as a reminder that, like objects pickled with symbolic meanings, humans have a story embedded within them. The use of religious language, with "We Sing Hallelujah" and "shining star," adds a spiritual dimension to the song's message. The references to the "turning of the year" suggest the cyclical nature of life, where even in the face of decay and death, there is always the hope of renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
A man is like a rusty wheel
A man is flawed and imperfect, like a deteriorating wheel on a rusty cart.
On a rusty cart
The cart represents the journey of life, which may be difficult and bumpy due to the man's imperfections.
He sings his song as he rattles along
The man carries on despite the obstacles he faces, and he finds solace in music as he goes.
And then he falls apart
Despite his efforts, the man eventually crumbles under the weight of his flaws.
And we'll sing hallelujah
We will celebrate and find joy despite the difficult journey of life.
At the turning of the year
The new year represents a fresh start and a time to reflect on one's journey and growth.
And we work all day in the old-fashioned way
We work hard and diligently, persevering through challenges and striving to do our best.
Till the shining star appears
We look to a brighter future, a symbolized by a shining star, as we keep working towards our goals.
A man is like a briar
A man can be prickly, like a thorn-covered briar bush.
He covers himself with thorns
The man may hide behind a tough exterior as a method of self-protection.
He laughs like a clown when his fortune's down
The man puts on a brave face and tries to make light of tough situations, even when things are going poorly.
And his clothes are ragged and torn
The man's outward appearance may reflect his inner turmoil and struggles.
A man is like a three string fiddle
A man may have limitations and be unable to operate at full capacity, like a three string fiddle.
Hanging up on the wall
The man may be metaphorically 'hanging on the wall', unused and unfulfilled.
He plays when somebody scrapes on the bow
The man may be triggered into action, but only when others initiate or motivate him.
Or he can't play at all
The man may be incapable of functioning properly if not prompted by others.
A man is like his father
A man may struggle with the same issues and behaviors as his father.
Wishes he never was born
The man may feel discouraged and overwhelmed by the generational patterns he feels trapped in.
He longs for the time when the clock will chime
The man may be looking for a way out, a moment when he can escape the cycle he feels stuck in.
And he's dead forevermore
The man may feel that there is no end to his struggles, and that his condition is permanent and unfixable.
Contributed by Anthony L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.