Thompson, Richard - From Galway To Graceland Lyrics

Everyone needs an Elvis song in their life and Galway to Graceland is as good as any. Giving time of year here, Blue Christmas is good too.

This was in his Ulster Hall set two nights ago. Singing and playing solo with an intensity that was even for him remarkable. The guitar playing is taken for granted genius but I was never quite sure about the vocals - I am now - a man possessed in Belfast - 3 standing ovations more than deserved - consider myself privileged.

She was humming "suspicion" its the song she liked best.

I often wonder if he knew a beeswing, I think most of us have, and deep down, envied her??!!

Beeswing is about Anne Briggs, and I think Richard did know her, way back when.

Great song great memories

I'm from Syria! I LOVE your brilliant articulate music, and yes, we do have Syrian Elvis songs ;)

So wonderful to hear.

Once again, it was my big brother who turned me on to Richard Thompson, and especially this song. My brother has been gone almost five years, but not a day goes by when I'm not reminded of a musical gem he showed me. I miss you Hugh B., my big brother. And thank you, hclee, for posting thisQ

RT is amazing. Every song affects a person in some way whether sadness or laughter, he brings sadness and happiness and joy in every song he has written. His guitar playing is exceptional as well. There is one word for him that can be used in its full definitions - Brilliant.

What a singer,what a song.

For this hapless young woman descending into madness, Elvis, not really the man as he was but the legend, the all-caps ELVIS, has become her Moby Dick, her White Whale, pulling her into the deeps from which she likely will never return.

A wonderfully accurate comment.

Can't help thinking that there are plot links, admittedly tenuous, between this song and the 2002? Kathy Bates, Rupert Everett, Jonathan Pryce film "Unconditional Love".

fucking phenomenal

Got that right. I can't stop crying.

a superb song

Richard is a great lyricist ... this piece of genius is deceptively simple but it's one of his best imo.

What makes Richard special is that he is a very humble man, unimpressed with his own artistic brilliance. I say this as someone who knows him personally from attending his camp in the Catskills, "Frets & Refrains." Were he to commentate on this video he would no doubt critique what he considered to be subpar in this particular performance. The man has very high standards and impeccable taste.

Hi Douglas! ....from F&R

Syria we have not forgotten about you. ...see

I have great memori of him singing this at some festival in Gaway about 10 years  ago magic thanks for reminding me grea song with great memories

Paddy P. 

Paul Brady ?

So excited off to Ireland next August xxxx

+Katherine Wicks Really hope you enjoyed your trip to Ireland , Katherine ... it's so crazy that people would enjoy coming here :)

After all the horse shit I've listened to tonight I thought this might be time well spent. I was right.

+Scott Kinsey One of the best (lines ) comments on you tube ever - can I use this in a song I'm writing
Cheers.

+rodsreel Be my guest.
Cheers to you.

Mmm Richard Freethey. For the uninitiated it would appear from the wording of your comment that RT is Irish. He is English (Notting Hill, London) but his dad is a Scot and enjoyed the Scottish tradition's inc music. Hence plenty of Celtic influences in RT's music, but Irish, good Lord no!!  I have been in the fortunate position of following RT since almost the beginning of his musical career, 1968 when I saw Fairport's at The Royal Festival Hall. I walked away from that Contemporary Music Festival a changed teenager. Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson were to be with me musically from then 'til now and I struggle to find any musician of a similar ilk that comes close to RT's storytelling and gloriously stunning guitar style :)

This comment is fascinating in that it is great, but leaves me almost dead with envy... i am only 30, so a lot of his music happened before my time, but in the 20 years that i have been playing music he is yet to be topped overall... it must have been incredible to see him, especially in the FC years full of energy.. Genuinely think him and danny thompson are the best band ever haha no drummer needed ;) anyway, thanks for the anecdote :)

You were indeed fortunate to see him from the beginning. Fairport with Sandy Denny was indeed magical. As for me, I was listening to the Top 40 at the time and had no idea bands like Fairport even existed. Alas for me!

@heinrichvon sorry for you, But even today most people have never heard of Richard Thompson. :(

@ richard freethey, Andy Irvine, Arty McGlynn, Donal Lunny, to name but three. Admittedly his song writing is unique to him and very brilliant indeed but for musicianship ..they are right up there. Also in terms of songwriting i think Jimmy Mc Carthy has written some really brilliant songs ..and there are many others. ;) i like Andy Irvine's song writing too. :-)
 As a package he's pure class, even his muslim beard suits him ..like a tall leprachaun. lol

Oh, "Irishaware...", this is nonsense. While Mr. Keane's version is indeed a fine one, the number of non-Irish holding All-Ireland championship medals in Irish Traditional Music, dance and song belies your contention, which sounds vaguely racist to me and not at all an Irish perspective. RT has sounded  pretty much like this his whole career, even when speaking --he's a very genuine individual (who's acquaintance I have made, so I speak first hand). And if you think this is a stage-Irish accent, you haven't spent a) much time around the various accents of the Republic or the Six Counties, nor b) much time around vaudevillians. Also, and to me most importantly, you contend that the melody is "older Irish". Please Be Specific -- I've been playing Irish music for 40 years and I can't say that I can recall this melody from anywhere else, not can I find any reference to any earlier melody anywhere in the literature. You could very well be right...please disabuse me of any notions of originality I may be harbouring here, if you can. Otherwise, let's not shoot from the hip, eh?

Any perspective on "Dimming of The Day"...? Maybe a listen to the much older Irish song "The Dawning of The Day"...Might help...???

There is not an Irish folk musician on earth who could come close to the talents of Richard Thompson. Good Lord. 

I think that we can safely assume where Richard Freethey hails from...!!! The Only country in the world with the audacity to call itself "Great...!!!" On Richard Thompson's musical abilities,which are beyond question for what he does...DOES NOT HOWEVER MAKE HIM SUPERIOR TO ANY MUSICIAN ON THE ISLAND OF IRELAND...A PORTION OF WHICH IS STILL "OCCUPIED ILLEGALY"...BY THAT COUNTRY...WHICH REFERS TO ITSELF AS..."Great B.......!!!" THAT KIND OF IGNORANCE IS TO BE EXPECTED REALLY FROM PEOPLE RULED BY HAPSBURGS POSING AS BRITISH...!!!

The delegation from Bhutan has made their views clear...

You probably don't have one at home but, open a dictionary Mr? Cummins and you will find that " great" just means big. Hence the great toe, the Great Wain etc. It refers to the "biggest" island of the cluster of islands. Music as beauty, is in the eye (ear) of the beholder and igornance is like a dicharge from a great vagina.

you know he's English, right?

1. Rory Gallagher
2. Paul Brady
3. Van Morrison
4. Christy Moore
5. Damien Rice
6. Paddy Casey
7. Mundy


Off the top of my head.


I love Thompson but thats an ignorant comment.

You obviously dont know anything about Irish music

Love his quitar, voice and poetry. Love all of him

Graceland was the name of Elvis' home

what is graceland? is that a real place or something more....spiritual?

BOURGEOIS GILLES Graceland is the home of Elvis Presley. A pilgrimage site today 2017. 60000 visitors a year.

only when the general population can appreciate a treasure when they here it.

He embodies each song he sings fully, his guitar an appendage of his soul...he is folk rocks grand genius! He does not have an ounce of convention in his music. He is the pure arts-man. RT is the worlds best kept secret...the jewel of contemporary folk...yes he is the King of his genre. I've seen him once in Tampa is a small theater inYbor City, in 1997 or 1998. A fan since 1986 or so when the red haired girlfriend I had played his songs and sang like Linda Thompson. I was hooked completely.

That song gets better every time I hear it thank you for the post

I only got into him in the 90's and since discovering him I have rarely missed a tour but I have never seen him do this 'live'. I'm not complaining though. Every gig is a wonderful experience and even if you don't know a particular song you are immediately drawn into it through the quality of the song-writing. A unique artist and a truly exceptional musician.

one of the best ever . i will go home for christmas .

Last saw RT at Snape Maltings September 2012. Guy in front of us asked if he was any good!!! Had never seen RT perform but after about 4 songs he turned round and asked "is that just a normal steel strung guitar?" and was one of the first to his feet at the standing ovation before the encores. This man touches everyone who hears him, even my daughter who despises my music on principle. She affects to hate his music but has sung "Dimming Of The Day" on stage with me.

Saw him at Snape Maltings last night. My wife bought the tickets (luckily), never realised how brilliant he is!

He's awesome...one of my all time favorites. Great artist! I'm so glad I saw him in concert years ago.

The word "bilge" comes to mine

Anyone ever hear The High Kings do this one? The word "FANTASTIC"comes to mind.

"they dragged her away, it was handcuffs this time.." - genius

Great song. Great artist. Love it!

I'm not sure if Richard Thompson will ever be generally recognized for the treasure that he is.

He did get an OBE from the Queen.

shit XD

Great night in Vicar Street last night - great atmosphere - what a performer - he seems to get better everytime !

Sean Keane's version of the song is sweet, but it is not a patch on the man himself. Heard him last night in Vicars Street - stunning. And yes, he sang and played this tune, it lifted the roof, wonderful!

First heard Seán Keane sing this, loved it the first time I heard it and have loved it since, great song!

Absolutely sensational. All young acoustic players should note his incredible technique. He makes 6 strings do so much.

Sean Keane does it better.

MsRhianon no

Absolutely beautiful. Each time I hear this I think his guitar work gets better and better!

i love this song man is so talented

I absolutely love this song! The emotional pull of this song is incredible. It affects me every time I hear it. Richard Thompson was, is, and will continue to be, an unbelievably talented musician/songwriter. Thank you so much for making this video available.