7 Down Where The Drunkards Roll


Richard Thompson is a singer, guitarist and songwriter who I have always greatly admired. He first made his mark, of course, in the legendary 70’s folk-rock band Fairport Convention which took English folk song by the scruff of the neck and gave it a thorough shake-up. He later recorded more great songs with his then wife Linda. Nowadays he is one of English folk music’s elder statesmen, as much at home on acoustic guitar as electric, as much at home solo as in a band.

This song can be found on his (and Linda’s) great 1970’s album ‘I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight’. It’s a glimpse into the twilight world of people who have a serious drink problem.