Richard Thompson — Beeswing
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Length: 5:26
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I was nineteen when I came to town, they called it the Summer of Love
They were burning babies, burning flags. The hawks against the doves
I took a job in the steamie down on Cauldrum Street
And I fell in love with a laundry girl who was working next to me
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
So fine a breath of wind might blow her away
She was a lost child, oh she was running wild
She said "As long as there's no price on love, I'll stay.
And you wouldn't want me any other way"
Brown hair zig-zag around her face and a look of half-surprise
Like a fox caught in the headlights, there was animal in her eyes
She said "Young man, oh can't you see I'm not the factory kind
If you don't take me out of here I'll surely lose my mind"
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
So fine that I might crush her where she lay
She was a lost child, she was running wild
She said "As long as there's no price on love, I'll stay.
And you wouldn't want me any other way"
We busked around the market towns and picked fruit down in Kent
And we could tinker lamps and pots and knives wherever we went
And I said that we might settle down, get a few acres dug
Fire burning in the hearth and babies on the rug
She said "Oh man, you foolish man, it surely sounds like hell.
You might be lord of half the world, you'll not own me as well"
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
So fine a breath of wind might blow her away
She was a lost child, oh she was running wild
She said "As long as there's no price on love, I'll stay.
And you wouldn't want me any other way"
We was camping down the Gower one time, the work was pretty good
She thought we shouldn't wait for the frost and I thought maybe we should
We was drinking more in those days and tempers reached a pitch
And like a fool I let her run with the rambling itch
Oh the last I heard she's sleeping rough back on the Derby beat
White Horse in her hip pocket and a wolfhound at her feet
And they say she even married once, a man named Romany Brown
But even a gypsy caravan was too much settling down
And they say her flower is faded now, hard weather and hard booze
But maybe that's just the price you pay for the chains you refuse
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
And I miss her more than ever words could say
If I could just taste all of her wildness now
If I could hold her in my arms today
Well I wouldn't want her any other way
They were burning babies, burning flags. The hawks against the doves
I took a job in the steamie down on Cauldrum Street
And I fell in love with a laundry girl who was working next to me
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
So fine a breath of wind might blow her away
She was a lost child, oh she was running wild
She said "As long as there's no price on love, I'll stay.
And you wouldn't want me any other way"
Brown hair zig-zag around her face and a look of half-surprise
Like a fox caught in the headlights, there was animal in her eyes
She said "Young man, oh can't you see I'm not the factory kind
If you don't take me out of here I'll surely lose my mind"
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
So fine that I might crush her where she lay
She was a lost child, she was running wild
She said "As long as there's no price on love, I'll stay.
And you wouldn't want me any other way"
We busked around the market towns and picked fruit down in Kent
And we could tinker lamps and pots and knives wherever we went
And I said that we might settle down, get a few acres dug
Fire burning in the hearth and babies on the rug
She said "Oh man, you foolish man, it surely sounds like hell.
You might be lord of half the world, you'll not own me as well"
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
So fine a breath of wind might blow her away
She was a lost child, oh she was running wild
She said "As long as there's no price on love, I'll stay.
And you wouldn't want me any other way"
We was camping down the Gower one time, the work was pretty good
She thought we shouldn't wait for the frost and I thought maybe we should
We was drinking more in those days and tempers reached a pitch
And like a fool I let her run with the rambling itch
Oh the last I heard she's sleeping rough back on the Derby beat
White Horse in her hip pocket and a wolfhound at her feet
And they say she even married once, a man named Romany Brown
But even a gypsy caravan was too much settling down
And they say her flower is faded now, hard weather and hard booze
But maybe that's just the price you pay for the chains you refuse
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
And I miss her more than ever words could say
If I could just taste all of her wildness now
If I could hold her in my arms today
Well I wouldn't want her any other way
Comments (217)add comment
And so the beautiful music flows...............
bethslave wrote:
Beautiful song and lyrics. I don't believe Mr. Thompson is the pretentious one here. I've seen him in concert twice and he is truly talented.
Beautiful song and lyrics. I don't believe Mr. Thompson is the pretentious one here. I've seen him in concert twice and he is truly talented.
Heartbreaking and beautiful
I read the lyrics as this played.
I don't know what else to say other than -
Great.
nomnol wrote:
Look over the left.
An interesting article with the answer and some of the back ground here:
Beeswing by Richard Thompson review – beyond Fairport Convention | Autobiography and memoir | The Guardian
Look over the left.
An interesting article with the answer and some of the back ground here:
Beeswing by Richard Thompson review – beyond Fairport Convention | Autobiography and memoir | The Guardian
9 >>>>>> 10!!!!
hakuindude wrote:
Well there is ...
(Red hair and black leather and so on)
One of the finest songs ever written, period!
Well there is ...
(Red hair and black leather and so on)
One of the finest songs ever written, period!
radioparadise9 wrote:
"i'm not sure who wrote it but"... I'm too stupid and lazy to find out
Look over the left.
"i'm not sure who wrote it but"... I'm too stupid and lazy to find out
Look over the left.
Good song but I think “the king of California “ is a better (great) song
murdog wrote:
Well, you are a type of troll. The deeply ignorant sort. Satisfied?
I hate to be the troll I hate, buuuut:
Haven't I heard this guy at every open mic, ever?
Well, you are a type of troll. The deeply ignorant sort. Satisfied?
Fine evocative lyric!
Not a big Richard Thompson fan, but this is a beautifully written song.
I usually don't go for nostalgia - it's potent, like a drug commonly abused in the worst of pop & country tunes.
In this case, Mr. Thompson has made a masterful use of the form to slyly suggest a moral lesson in the last verse. "But maybe that's just the price you pay for the chains you refuse". I guess not all is, as it might seem...
In this case, Mr. Thompson has made a masterful use of the form to slyly suggest a moral lesson in the last verse. "But maybe that's just the price you pay for the chains you refuse". I guess not all is, as it might seem...
Canlistener wrote:
Please do.
Geez I'm trying to eat here, this noise is making me gag
Please do.
One of the single best lost-love ballads ever written, and here, marvelously played.
Gorgeous
fantasy lyrics,
traditional english folk but from an OBE.
Anyone accepting a UK establishment "honour" is suspect
traditional english folk but from an OBE.
Anyone accepting a UK establishment "honour" is suspect
Ahh. Such a sweet sweet troubadour !
I hate to be the troll I hate, buuuut:
Haven't I heard this guy at every open mic, ever?
Haven't I heard this guy at every open mic, ever?
I just heard it's John Prine's 60th B'day.
kayakingclark wrote:
"i'm not sure who wrote it but"... I'm too stupid and lazy to find out
Christy Moore's version is way better, i'm not sure who wrote it but i don't like this version.
"i'm not sure who wrote it but"... I'm too stupid and lazy to find out
Canlistener wrote:
It would be karma if you choked ... and species improvement
Geez I'm trying to eat here, this noise is making me gag
It would be karma if you choked ... and species improvement
I'm quite ignorant when it comes to folk, but I hear this and it just oozes talent!
hbs47 wrote:
ScottishWillie wrote:
I enjoy learning little bits of lore like that. Thanks. : )
As a contrary view to Nick Drake this guy ticks all my musical buttons.
ScottishWillie wrote:
Nick and Richard were stable mate in the 60s on Island Records. Richard played on Nicks first 2 albums. He was asked about it in an interview with Westword:
"You're a performer on the first two Nick Drake albums. How did you end up with that gig? What was it like working with Nick Drake?
He was with the same management company and on the same record label as me. It was a fairly small community. John Boyd used to run this management and production company. There was John W. Martin, Nick Drake, Sandy Denny, Chris MacGregor — it was a small, tight-knit community.
So the obvious place to look for other musicians was within that musical family. So I got to play on a couple of Nick's records. He was pretty quiet, didn't say much. But in 1968 and '69, a lot of people didn't say anything, so it didn't seem unusual at the time."
"You're a performer on the first two Nick Drake albums. How did you end up with that gig? What was it like working with Nick Drake?
He was with the same management company and on the same record label as me. It was a fairly small community. John Boyd used to run this management and production company. There was John W. Martin, Nick Drake, Sandy Denny, Chris MacGregor — it was a small, tight-knit community.
So the obvious place to look for other musicians was within that musical family. So I got to play on a couple of Nick's records. He was pretty quiet, didn't say much. But in 1968 and '69, a lot of people didn't say anything, so it didn't seem unusual at the time."
I enjoy learning little bits of lore like that. Thanks. : )
Geez I'm trying to eat here, this noise is making me gag
andrea924 wrote:
Effin' great! Almost spit out my coffee at work when he started singing.
I confess to a similar reaction. It's not his voice, it's what he does with it. I don't deny he's prodigiously talented. On the other hand, his cover of "Oops I Did It Again" is a thing of beauty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4WGsMplGxU
Gazraman wrote:
Gazraman wrote:
Oh no, it's Richard Thompson and his stupid fucking vocal pretensions.
Effin' great! Almost spit out my coffee at work when he started singing.
I confess to a similar reaction. It's not his voice, it's what he does with it. I don't deny he's prodigiously talented. On the other hand, his cover of "Oops I Did It Again" is a thing of beauty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4WGsMplGxU
Gazraman wrote:
Gazraman wrote:
Oh no, it's Richard Thompson and his stupid fucking vocal pretensions.
If you're in the Bay Area, run - don't walk - and get tickets to his Freight & Salvage shows in December. Three shows, all request, tickets go on sale Friday the 23rd at noon. Or book plane tickets now....
Gazraman wrote:
i'm really sorry you dont get it.
he's a true gem in contemporary song writing. seen him 3 times in concert.....pretty god damn good showman as well.
Oh no, it's Richard Thompson and his stupid fucking vocal pretensions.
i'm really sorry you dont get it.
he's a true gem in contemporary song writing. seen him 3 times in concert.....pretty god damn good showman as well.
And they say her flower is faded now, hard weather and hard booze
But maybe that's just the price you pay for the chains that you refuse
A heartbreaking fate, but so beautifully expressed.
But maybe that's just the price you pay for the chains that you refuse
A heartbreaking fate, but so beautifully expressed.
bethslave wrote:
Beautiful song and lyrics. I don't believe Mr. Thompson is the pretentious one here. I've seen him in concert twice and he is truly talented.
Totally agree. He's fabulous in concert. I've seen him a number of times from like 15 feet away. You can see what he's doing on the guitar, but you can't do it, no you can't ;-).
Beautiful song and lyrics. I don't believe Mr. Thompson is the pretentious one here. I've seen him in concert twice and he is truly talented.
Totally agree. He's fabulous in concert. I've seen him a number of times from like 15 feet away. You can see what he's doing on the guitar, but you can't do it, no you can't ;-).
Gazraman wrote:
Beautiful song and lyrics. I don't believe Mr. Thompson is the pretentious one here. I've seen him in concert twice and he is truly talented.
Oh no, it's Richard Thompson and his stupid fucking vocal pretensions.
Beautiful song and lyrics. I don't believe Mr. Thompson is the pretentious one here. I've seen him in concert twice and he is truly talented.
medoras wrote:
He does write some great songs, I also like covers of his songs by other artists, that's a sign of a good writer when someone else does your song and it sounds good.
Such a strong tradition of wonderful music since the days of Fairport Convention.
The world of music is blessed to have Richard Thompson in it.
The world of music is blessed to have Richard Thompson in it.
He does write some great songs, I also like covers of his songs by other artists, that's a sign of a good writer when someone else does your song and it sounds good.
Oh no, it's Richard Thompson and his stupid fucking vocal pretensions.
hbs47 wrote:
Nick and Richard were stablemates in the 60s on Island Records. Richard played on Nicks's first 2 albums. He was asked about it in an interview with Westword:
"You're a performer on the first two Nick Drake albums. How did you end up with that gig? What was it like working with Nick Drake?
As a contrary view to Nick Drake this guy ticks all my musical buttons.
Nick and Richard were stablemates in the 60s on Island Records. Richard played on Nicks's first 2 albums. He was asked about it in an interview with Westword:
"You're a performer on the first two Nick Drake albums. How did you end up with that gig? What was it like working with Nick Drake?
He was with the same management company and on the same record label as me. It was a fairly small community. John Boyd used to run this management and production company. There was John W. Martin, Nick Drake, Sandy Denny, Chris MacGregor — it was a small, tight-knit community.
So the obvious place to look for other musicians was within that musical family. So I got to play on a couple of Nick's records. He was pretty quiet, didn't say much. But in 1968 and '69, a lot of people didn't say anything, so it didn't seem unusual at the time."
This almost brings me to tears every time I hear it. Beautiful song and story.
Love, love.
That was just simply gorgeous!
10th_rock wrote:
When there are so many great songs played by RP, why oh why do we have to listen to this whiney drivel?
Please oh please take it out of rotation!
Ah, take yerself out of rotation! If sublime beauty and emotion aren't your thing, mute away.
When there are so many great songs played by RP, why oh why do we have to listen to this whiney drivel?
Please oh please take it out of rotation!
Ah, take yerself out of rotation! If sublime beauty and emotion aren't your thing, mute away.
Such a strong tradition of wonderful music since the days of Fairport Convention.
The world of music is blessed to have Richard Thompson in it.
The world of music is blessed to have Richard Thompson in it.
Richard writes poems of social progress, emotional progress, lives worth living, loves lost. Or found, too late.
Plus, he is a superb guitarist with a storied past.
Not a mid-west accent, unless you are talking Britain.
All is well in my world.
Plus, he is a superb guitarist with a storied past.
Not a mid-west accent, unless you are talking Britain.
All is well in my world.
7.3 !!!! incredible. The universe is large enough for all... bat this is too much!
nigelr wrote:
Yes!
Not everyone's cup of tea, but certainly mine.
Superlatives insufficient!
Thank you RP, I really enjoyed this one!
Superlatives insufficient!
Thank you RP, I really enjoyed this one!
Yes!
Peter_Bradshaw wrote:
This is on my list of perfect songs. Songs that simply could not possibly be improved upon. Once on this list there is no comparing one to another... they are all perfect.
...... if I could write songs I want to be able to write as good as this; priceless.
+10
+10
This is on my list of perfect songs. Songs that simply could not possibly be improved upon. Once on this list there is no comparing one to another... they are all perfect.
In my opinion Mr Thompson has an awesome voice and way with a song, and this one is a beauty! Old Love! That one who holds you for decades, the memories are priceless, that love, fine as a bee's wing
10th_rock wrote:
When there are so many great songs played by RP, why oh why do we have to listen to this whiney drivel?
Please oh please take it out of rotation!
7.4 out of 750 reviews. Richard is Solid. bar graph don't lie.
When there are so many great songs played by RP, why oh why do we have to listen to this whiney drivel?
Please oh please take it out of rotation!
7.4 out of 750 reviews. Richard is Solid. bar graph don't lie.
I must have been in a bad mood when first I heard this song. 5-->8
10th_rock wrote:
When there are so many great songs played by RP, why oh why do we have to listen to this whiney drivel?
Please oh please take it out of rotation!
...... obviously you have a severe hearing disorder
When there are so many great songs played by RP, why oh why do we have to listen to this whiney drivel?
Please oh please take it out of rotation!
...... obviously you have a severe hearing disorder helgigermany wrote:
When there are so many great songs played by RP, why oh why do we have to listen to this whiney drivel?
Please oh please take it out of rotation!
Terrible music! Terrible cover!
When there are so many great songs played by RP, why oh why do we have to listen to this whiney drivel?
Please oh please take it out of rotation!
...... if I could write songs I want to be able to write as good as this; priceless.
+10
+10
LPCity wrote:
+1
A beautiful memory and ode to a love lost.
No matter the reason, it resonates within my heart.
No matter the reason, it resonates within my heart.
+1
As good as this is, I can't help but think that this is Nick Cave singing Ye Olde English Folk Love Songs for some kind of concept album.
Fantastic 
TerryS wrote:
TerryS wrote:
Richard Thompson: A taste well-worth acquiring.
ARTIST: Richard Thompson
TITLE: Bee's Wing
Lyrics and Chords
I was nineteen when I came to town
They called it the Summer of Love
They were burning babies, burning flags
The hawks against the doves
I took a job in the steamie
Down on Cauldrum Street
And I fell in love with a laundry girl
Who was working next to me
/ D Bm D - / / / A - G - /:
{Refrain}
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
So fine a breath of wind might blow her away
She was a lost child, oh she was running wild
She said "As long as there's no price on love, I'll stay
And you wouldn't want me any other way"
/ Bm - - - D - - - / Bm A G A G - - - / 1st /
/ Bm A G A G - D - / Em D G A G - D - /
Brown hair zig-zag around her face
And a look of half-surprise
Like a fox caught in the headlights
There was animal in her eyes
She said "Young man, oh can't you see
I'm not the factory kind
If you don't take me out of here
I'll surely lose my mind"
{Refrain}
...So fine that I might crush her where she lay...
We busked around the market towns
And picked fruit down in Kent
And we could tinker lamps and pots and knives
Wherever we went
And I said that we might settle down
Get a few acres dug
Fire burning in the hearth
And babies on the rug
She said "Oh man, you foolish man
It surely sounds like hell.
You might be lord of half the world
You'll not own me as well"
{Refrain}
...So fine a breath of wind might blow her away...
We was camping down the Gower one time
The work was pretty good
She thought we shouldn't wait for the frost
And I thought maybe we should
We was drinking more in those days
And tempers reached a pitch
And like a fool I let her run
With the rambling itch
Oh the last I heard she's sleeping rough
Back on the Derby beat
White Horse in her hip pocket
And a wolfhound at her feet
And they say she even married once
A man named Romany Brown
But even a gypsy caravan
Was too much settling down
And they say her flower is faded now
Hard weather and hard booze
But maybe that's just the price you pay
For the chains you refuse
{As Refrain}
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
And I miss her more than ever words could say
If I could just taste all of her wildness now
If I could hold her in my arms today
Well I wouldn't want her any other way
ARTIST: Richard Thompson
TITLE: Bee's Wing
Lyrics and Chords
I was nineteen when I came to town
They called it the Summer of Love
They were burning babies, burning flags
The hawks against the doves
I took a job in the steamie
Down on Cauldrum Street
And I fell in love with a laundry girl
Who was working next to me
/ D Bm D - / / / A - G - /:
{Refrain}
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
So fine a breath of wind might blow her away
She was a lost child, oh she was running wild
She said "As long as there's no price on love, I'll stay
And you wouldn't want me any other way"
/ Bm - - - D - - - / Bm A G A G - - - / 1st /
/ Bm A G A G - D - / Em D G A G - D - /
Brown hair zig-zag around her face
And a look of half-surprise
Like a fox caught in the headlights
There was animal in her eyes
She said "Young man, oh can't you see
I'm not the factory kind
If you don't take me out of here
I'll surely lose my mind"
{Refrain}
...So fine that I might crush her where she lay...
We busked around the market towns
And picked fruit down in Kent
And we could tinker lamps and pots and knives
Wherever we went
And I said that we might settle down
Get a few acres dug
Fire burning in the hearth
And babies on the rug
She said "Oh man, you foolish man
It surely sounds like hell.
You might be lord of half the world
You'll not own me as well"
{Refrain}
...So fine a breath of wind might blow her away...
We was camping down the Gower one time
The work was pretty good
She thought we shouldn't wait for the frost
And I thought maybe we should
We was drinking more in those days
And tempers reached a pitch
And like a fool I let her run
With the rambling itch
Oh the last I heard she's sleeping rough
Back on the Derby beat
White Horse in her hip pocket
And a wolfhound at her feet
And they say she even married once
A man named Romany Brown
But even a gypsy caravan
Was too much settling down
And they say her flower is faded now
Hard weather and hard booze
But maybe that's just the price you pay
For the chains you refuse
{As Refrain}
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
And I miss her more than ever words could say
If I could just taste all of her wildness now
If I could hold her in my arms today
Well I wouldn't want her any other way
helgigermany wrote:
I believe Richard Thompson wrote and performed this himself. He introduced the song in a performance I watched as one of "his".
Terrible music! Terrible cover!
I believe Richard Thompson wrote and performed this himself. He introduced the song in a performance I watched as one of "his".
thank you Richard...always tasty.....
A beautiful memory and ode to a love lost.
No matter the reason, it resonates within my heart.
No matter the reason, it resonates within my heart.
kayakingclark wrote:
Wouldn't be Richard Thompson would it?
Christy Moore's version is way better, i'm not sure who wrote it but i don't like this version.
Wouldn't be Richard Thompson would it?
Christy Moore's version is way better, i'm not sure who wrote it but i don't like this version.
bb_matt wrote:
I'm inclined to agree.
Great lyrics??
My word, depends whether you like layers of cheese - about the only original bit of lyric is "fine as a beeswing" - the rest is cliche big time.
My word, depends whether you like layers of cheese - about the only original bit of lyric is "fine as a beeswing" - the rest is cliche big time.
I'm inclined to agree.
Great lyrics??
My word, depends whether you like layers of cheese - about the only original bit of lyric is "fine as a beeswing" - the rest is cliche big time.
My word, depends whether you like layers of cheese - about the only original bit of lyric is "fine as a beeswing" - the rest is cliche big time.
love the lyrics and his vioce is haunting!
Great lyrics but just can't stand the voice -
ch83575 wrote:
hear, hear...I like catching the old live version you can find on YouTube
Beautiful song... simply beautiful.
hear, hear...I like catching the old live version you can find on YouTubeAs a contrary view to Nick Drake this guy ticks all my musical buttons.
This month a new album (Electric) and 2 gigs in London booked.
This month a new album (Electric) and 2 gigs in London booked.
apd wrote:
Me neither, cannot but agree. Had to sit down and read the lyrics. Great storytelling.
"But maybe that's just the price you pay
For the chains you refuse"
Folk is not my style, but the lyrics in this song, though a bit too affected, are gorgeous.
For the chains you refuse"
Folk is not my style, but the lyrics in this song, though a bit too affected, are gorgeous.
Me neither, cannot but agree. Had to sit down and read the lyrics. Great storytelling.
Beautiful song... simply beautiful.
"But maybe that's just the price you pay
For the chains you refuse"
Folk is not my style, but the lyrics in this song, though a bit too affected, are gorgeous.
For the chains you refuse"
Folk is not my style, but the lyrics in this song, though a bit too affected, are gorgeous.
Singing about his Fairport Conventions days? What a slew of beautiful songs put together.
Terrible music! Terrible cover!
Brilliant lyric, lovely tune, just, bloody, great.
Richard Thompson: A taste well-worth acquiring.
ARTIST: Richard Thompson
TITLE: Bee's Wing
Lyrics and Chords
I was nineteen when I came to town
They called it the Summer of Love
They were burning babies, burning flags
The hawks against the doves
I took a job in the steamie
Down on Cauldrum Street
And I fell in love with a laundry girl
Who was working next to me
/ D Bm D - / / / A - G - /:
{Refrain}
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
So fine a breath of wind might blow her away
She was a lost child, oh she was running wild
She said "As long as there's no price on love, I'll stay
And you wouldn't want me any other way"
/ Bm - - - D - - - / Bm A G A G - - - / 1st /
/ Bm A G A G - D - / Em D G A G - D - /
Brown hair zig-zag around her face
And a look of half-surprise
Like a fox caught in the headlights
There was animal in her eyes
She said "Young man, oh can't you see
I'm not the factory kind
If you don't take me out of here
I'll surely lose my mind"
{Refrain}
...So fine that I might crush her where she lay...
We busked around the market towns
And picked fruit down in Kent
And we could tinker lamps and pots and knives
Wherever we went
And I said that we might settle down
Get a few acres dug
Fire burning in the hearth
And babies on the rug
She said "Oh man, you foolish man
It surely sounds like hell.
You might be lord of half the world
You'll not own me as well"
{Refrain}
...So fine a breath of wind might blow her away...
We was camping down the Gower one time
The work was pretty good
She thought we shouldn't wait for the frost
And I thought maybe we should
We was drinking more in those days
And tempers reached a pitch
And like a fool I let her run
With the rambling itch
Oh the last I heard she's sleeping rough
Back on the Derby beat
White Horse in her hip pocket
And a wolfhound at her feet
And they say she even married once
A man named Romany Brown
But even a gypsy caravan
Was too much settling down
And they say her flower is faded now
Hard weather and hard booze
But maybe that's just the price you pay
For the chains you refuse
{As Refrain}
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
And I miss her more than ever words could say
If I could just taste all of her wildness now
If I could hold her in my arms today
Well I wouldn't want her any other way
ARTIST: Richard Thompson
TITLE: Bee's Wing
Lyrics and Chords
I was nineteen when I came to town
They called it the Summer of Love
They were burning babies, burning flags
The hawks against the doves
I took a job in the steamie
Down on Cauldrum Street
And I fell in love with a laundry girl
Who was working next to me
/ D Bm D - / / / A - G - /:
{Refrain}
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
So fine a breath of wind might blow her away
She was a lost child, oh she was running wild
She said "As long as there's no price on love, I'll stay
And you wouldn't want me any other way"
/ Bm - - - D - - - / Bm A G A G - - - / 1st /
/ Bm A G A G - D - / Em D G A G - D - /
Brown hair zig-zag around her face
And a look of half-surprise
Like a fox caught in the headlights
There was animal in her eyes
She said "Young man, oh can't you see
I'm not the factory kind
If you don't take me out of here
I'll surely lose my mind"
{Refrain}
...So fine that I might crush her where she lay...
We busked around the market towns
And picked fruit down in Kent
And we could tinker lamps and pots and knives
Wherever we went
And I said that we might settle down
Get a few acres dug
Fire burning in the hearth
And babies on the rug
She said "Oh man, you foolish man
It surely sounds like hell.
You might be lord of half the world
You'll not own me as well"
{Refrain}
...So fine a breath of wind might blow her away...
We was camping down the Gower one time
The work was pretty good
She thought we shouldn't wait for the frost
And I thought maybe we should
We was drinking more in those days
And tempers reached a pitch
And like a fool I let her run
With the rambling itch
Oh the last I heard she's sleeping rough
Back on the Derby beat
White Horse in her hip pocket
And a wolfhound at her feet
And they say she even married once
A man named Romany Brown
But even a gypsy caravan
Was too much settling down
And they say her flower is faded now
Hard weather and hard booze
But maybe that's just the price you pay
For the chains you refuse
{As Refrain}
Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing
And I miss her more than ever words could say
If I could just taste all of her wildness now
If I could hold her in my arms today
Well I wouldn't want her any other way
Not my style but an incredible bard
wake me up after he go go
mjaded wrote:
Man you couldn't be more wrong. Never heard a RT tune until I heard Greg Brown cover him- checked him out and now I'm hooked. Ever seen him? plays one of the meanest guitars I've ever heard.
x2. I just saw him last month. Wow!
Man you couldn't be more wrong. Never heard a RT tune until I heard Greg Brown cover him- checked him out and now I'm hooked. Ever seen him? plays one of the meanest guitars I've ever heard.
x2. I just saw him last month. Wow!
Not everyone's cup of tea, but certainly mine.
Superlatives insufficient!
Thank you RP, I really enjoyed this one!
Mari wrote:
. makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up 
love it!
Makes the hair on my back stand up. Nice visual, eh?
love it!Richard Thompson is as fine as a bee's wing.
Wow. Gotta hand it to him for a good story. Compelling lyrics.
. makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up love it!
love it!webslinger48 wrote:
The truth is, if you didn't grow up with him, you don't like him. I am not hindered by nostalgia here.
Nor am I. I've never been a folkie, never listened to the Fairport Convention, and RT did not appear on my musical radar until well into the 90's. But once I heard his solo work there was no going back. I'd rank Richard Thompson with the likes of Johnny Cash and Lyle Lovett in in being so talented that his songs transcend any genre and simply stand as great pieces of music.
webslinger48 wrote:
Just when RP gets on an amazing roll, everything comes to a screeching halt with Richard Thompson. The truth is, if you didn't grow up with him, you don't like him. I am not hindered by nostalgia here. I have given 6 "ones" ever...and this song got one of 'em.
Man you couldn't be more wrong. Never heard a RT tune until I heard Greg Brown cover him- checked him out and now I'm hooked. Ever seen him? plays one of the meanest guitars I've ever heard.
Sad. Reminds me of someone.
cattgirl813 wrote:
Like those characters in "A Mighty Wind" except he's not funny.
I've always found him a little hard to take. I think it's the haughty sounding vocals.
RT is King!!!!!!!!!
Hows about pulling Sandy Denny in for some real old stuff.
Lovely.....ahhhhhhhhhhh a nice quiet 10
Really nice,though I enjoy his electric playing more....it's more original.
Love RT and this song is a great example of his music, if you don't like it, I'm glad I'm not you... 
ploafmaster wrote:
This is totally beautiful. Lyrically, musically, I have to bump this from an 8 to a 9.
It's a perfect 10.
That's an awfully harsh, broad brush you're paintin' with over there. I'm 25, didn't hear Richard Thompson until roughly two years ago, and I can honestly say he's growing on me. To each their own, but I don't think that growing up with Richard Thompson is a prerequisite to enjoying his music.
webslinger48 wrote:
Just when RP gets on an amazing roll, everything comes to a screeching halt with Richard Thompson. The truth is, if you didn't grow up with him, you don't like him. I am not hindered by nostalgia here. I have given 6 "ones" ever...and this song got one of 'em.
webslinger48 wrote:
The truth is, if you didn't grow up with him, you don't like him.
I always feel sorry for people who have missed out on life because of being denied opportunities in their early years. Yours is such a sad story you have my deepest sympathy, but my advice to you would be don't give up! You can make your life better. Start by ordering a copy of "The History of Fairport Convention by Fairport Convention" and repeat after me "My life has not been wasted and I can and will turn it round" Best of luck webslinger48.
Willie
Didn't know he existed until last year when I saw him live in Paris. Now everytime I hear him it reminds me of that night.
8 points from Ireland.
Viva la corn cob. Sounds like something from SNL.
Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
Art_Carnage wrote:
I didn't know that you could swing a bee.
But you can tuna fish. P.S. I hate this song.
Heartbreaking, but beautiful.
michaelc wrote:
this and Vincent 52 - best of Richard
With ya there. I give it an 8.
Time for the news - hasta!
Just when RP gets on an amazing roll, everything comes to a screeching halt with Richard Thompson. The truth is, if you didn't grow up with him, you don't like him. I am not hindered by nostalgia here. I have given 6 "ones" ever...and this song got one of 'em.
Nuance wrote:
..... He's really got his own thing going on and I appreciate that immensely in this sea of sameness, blandness, overproduced, overrated... well you get the idea.
Well said. I agree.
I gave this an 8.
dkarr wrote:
Get over it. Puke-ola. That ol' "Hey I'm just a clever bard" bit is a little old. Put it up, go away, you suck. 'Nuf said.
Whereas erudite commentary is always fresh and welcome.
Richard Thompson LIVE is amazing...love all his stuff!
Mugro wrote: We agree on something! 
I do love this song.
We agree on something!
Ahhh thanks for playing some Richard Thompson. Perfect way to start the weekend.
Cheers.
I do love this song.
I really like this song, but I do think it gets a little overplayed here. And that's not just becuase it reminds too much of about half of my relationships, makes me all wistful, and kills my productivity for a couple hours...
This is totally beautiful. Lyrically, musically, I have to bump this from an 8 to a 9.
blueskymind wrote:
someone please shoot me. my head feels like martians listening to music in mars attacks whenever i hear this song. i literally turn off RP before my head explodes.
I like this, but then I like Gean Autrey at times also.
guess mars is not the place for me.
someone please shoot me. my head feels like martians listening to music in mars attacks whenever i hear this song. i literally turn off RP before my head explodes.
skindy wrote:
Your loss.
*yawn* Whatever.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
*rips headphones off*
Your loss.
stevo_b wrote:
This guy is annoying.
Like those characters in "A Mighty Wind" except he's not funny.
This guy is annoying.
*rips headphones off*
Saw RT and band about three years ago at the local college in a small chapel setting. Got there early to make sure of a seat, ended up being only 2/3'ds full--cheap beer night at local bar, so college folks opted for multiple Natty Lights. Their loss.
Most of crowd was gray ponytail folks who remembered Fairpoint Convention and had well-word copies of *Shoot out the Lights.*
Started set with Tear Stained Letter, ripped through 90 minutes of great stuff. One of best concerts I can remember.
Always appreciate the occasional RT song.
Saw him play at the Big Room and this song in particular was brilliant. Look for the Sierra Center Stage performance (click here) on your PBS station (or if they don't carry the series, request that they do!). He's an amazing musician in all aspects.
Beauty.
This is more Celtic than Irish. Celts lived in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
This is a beautiful song. I could listen to it for hours. Thanks RP!!
Just heard Dylan's Tangled up in Blue and I can see where Thompson got his inspiration...
Great song by the way.