Al Bowlly's in Heaven
Echoes of Heroes: Richard Thompson's Tale of Lost Youth and Hard Times
Lyrics
Well we were heroes then,
Reflecting on a time when the speaker and others were considered heroes.
And the girls were all pretty
Describing the attractiveness of the girls during that time.
And a uniform was a lucky charm,
A uniform was considered a charm, symbolizing success or prestige.
Bought you the key to the city
Suggesting that wearing a uniform brought privileges, like being honored with a key to the city.
We used to dance the whole night through
Recalling joyful times spent dancing through the night.
While Al Bowlly sang "The Very Thought Of You"
Referencing Al Bowlly, a singer, and the song "The Very Thought Of You" that accompanied those dances.
Now Bowlly's in heaven and I'm in limbo now
Contrasting the past happiness with the present state, implying a decline in fortunes.
Well I gave my youth to king and country
Expressing a sacrifice for king and country with a hint of disappointment about the outcome.
But what's my country done for me
Questioning the reciprocation from the country for the sacrifices made.
But sentenced me to misery
Feeling sentenced to a life of misery despite the service rendered.
I traded my helmet and my parachute
Trading military gear for symbols of disability and the end of service.
For a pair of crutches and a demob suit
Highlighting the contrast between the past and the present hardships.
Al Bowlly's in heaven and I'm in limbo now
Reiterating the contrast, mentioning Al Bowlly in heaven and the speaker in a state of limbo.
Hard times, hard hard times
Describing the challenging and difficult times the speaker is facing.
Hostels and missions and dosser's soup lines
Mentioning the harsh conditions of living in hostels and relying on soup lines.
Can't close me eyes on a bench or a bed
Unable to find peace due to the lingering effects of war in the speaker's mind.
For the sound of some battle raging in my head
Old friends, you lose so many
Reflecting on the loss of many old friends and the challenges of being constantly on the move.
You get run around, all over town
Experiencing the wear and tear of life, both physically and emotionally.
The wear and the tear,
Describing the toll that life has taken on the speaker.
Oh it just drives you down
St Mungo's with its dirty old sheets
Referring to St Mungo's, a shelter with unpleasant conditions.
Beats standing all day
Choosing the discomfort of the shelter over standing all day on Scarborough Street.
Down on Scarborough Street
Repeating the idea of Al Bowlly in heaven and the speaker in limbo.
Al Bowlly's in heaven and I'm in limbo now
Can't stay here, you got to foot-slog
Expressing the need to keep moving, even if it involves hardship.
Once in a blue moon you might find a job
Describing the rarity of finding employment.
Sleep in the rain, you sleep in the snow
Depicting the extreme conditions of sleeping in the rain or snow.
When the beds are all taken
You've got nowhere to go
-Well I can see me now,
Reflecting on past joyous moments of dancing and socializing.
I'm back there on the dance floor
Recalling a specific image of the speaker dancing with someone.
Oh with a blonde on me arm, red-head to spare
Describing a vibrant scene with a blonde companion and a spare red-head.
Spit on my shoes and shine in me hair
Emphasizing the care and attention to appearance with spit-shined shoes and hair styling.
And there's Al Bowlly, he's up on a stand
Depicting Al Bowlly on a stand, highlighting the impact of his voice and the music.
Oh that was a voice and that was a band
Al Bowlly's in heaven and I'm in limbo now
Repeating the idea of Al Bowlly in heaven and the speaker in limbo, closing the narrative.
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