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The White Stripes — Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn
Album: Icky Thump
Avg rating:
5.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 780









Released: 2007
Length: 3:13
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Singing, li-de-li-de-li, oh, oh.
Well, a-li-de-li-de-li, oh.
Li-de-li-de-li, oh, oh.
Well, a-li-de-li-de-li, oh.

Well, the hills are pretty and rollin', but the thorn is sharp and swollen.
And the man plays a beautiful whistle, but he wears a prickly thistle.

Singing, li-de-li-de-li, oh, oh.
Well, a-li-de-li-de-li, oh.
Li-de-li-de-li, oh, oh.
Well, a-li-de-li-de-li, oh.

The silver birches pierce through an icy fog which covers the ground most daily,
And the angels which carry St. Andrew high are singing a tune most gaily.

Singing, li-de-li-de-li, oh, oh.
Well, a-li-de-li-de-li, oh.
Li-de-li-de-li, oh, oh.
Well, a-li-de-li-de-li, oh.

One sound can hold back a thousand hands when the pipe blows a tune forlorn,
And the thistle is a prickly flower, aye, but how it is sweetly worn.

Singing, li-de-li-de-li, oh, oh.
Well, a-li-de-li-de-li, oh.
Li-de-li-de-li, oh, oh.
Well, a-li-de-li-de-li, oh.

Li-de-li-de-li, oh, oh.
Well, a-li-de-li-de-li, oh.
Li-de-li-de-li, oh, oh.
Well, a-li-de-li-de-li, oh.
Comments (149)add comment
"Li-de-li-de-li" is an ancient Scottish hymm sung by warriors going into battle.
Posted 16 hours ago by IndyDoug    [ Reply ]
I can never forget roaming the wilds of Alaska with this CD jammed in the player quite a bit. Dig the way it conjures up a jolly Celtic jig among the heather of the highlands while the classic lyric warns of thorns...
Posted 3 weeks ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Ok. I’m sorry, but I distinctly heard Robert Plant singing a song I’d never heard. … White Stripes? jfc…. A Detroit boy like me ought to be ashamed and know better. (Now I am.) 
Posted 1 year ago by Roguewarer    [ Reply ]
Man...first time hearing this song and makes me want to grab Ziggytrix's shillelagh and do a jig around my desk with a fist pumping towards the sky!   
Posted 1 year ago by deadheadmark    [ Reply ]
Decent song, but something about Jack White always makes me want to whop him on the head with a shillelagh.
Posted 4 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
First time hearing this. I never knew The White Stripes did this...whatever you call this.  Kinda like it!
Posted 4 years ago by dmcanany    [ Reply ]
 sqqqrly wrote:


Too Irish?   Too non-pc?    geez...
 

Seriously.  Too bad some of us go through life constantly looking to be offended instead of just enjoying life.
Posted 4 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
 markthecarp wrote:
Too Irish,  to be frank and non-PC.  Worst of the genre.
 

Too Irish?   Too non-pc?    geez...
Posted 5 years ago by sqqqrly    [ Reply ]
Too Irish,  to be frank and non-PC.  Worst of the genre.
Posted 6 years ago by markthecarp    [ Reply ]
The Pogues got very drunk and had a circle jerk with tambourines? 
Posted 6 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Terrible. 
Posted 9 years ago by vinylbob    [ Reply ]
Worst WS song I've ever heard. 2. Shame, I like them normally. PSD.
Posted 9 years ago by joempie    [ Reply ]
 peregrin wrote:
Everybody in your hotel room is on acid.

My ears are bleeding.

 
If you believe your ears are bleeding either you are on acid or you may need medical attention.  However, I could see how some folks may find this song irritating.
?
Even this woman seems a little put-off by this number and she generally likes most of Jack White's work.
Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Everybody in your hotel room is on acid.

My ears are bleeding.
Posted 10 years ago by peregrin    [ Reply ]
Really?
Posted 12 years ago by Detlaps    [ Reply ]
Ha, ha very funny, Bill. Following a cover of Seven Nation Army. {#Lol}
Posted 12 years ago by onelittlemoose    [ Reply ]
Well this is disappointing.
Posted 12 years ago by BijouBijou    [ Reply ]
 cogbehaviour wrote:
Obviously they strangled a cat in the studio for that sound of bagpipes.
 
I'm thinking that possibly that is a crumhorn they are playing, which is a small reed flute shaped like the simple letter j.


Posted 12 years ago by Kokoloco53    [ Reply ]
Obviously they strangled a cat in the studio for that sound of bagpipes.
Posted 12 years ago by cogbehaviour    [ Reply ]
I always enjoy it when a cover is followed by another song from the band that made the original.
Posted 13 years ago by sjuttiosju    [ Reply ]
good GOD A' MIGHTY...{#Beat}
Posted 13 years ago by MiracleDrug    [ Reply ]

Meg White I by ~immerseyoursoul-x
©2007-2010 ~immerseyoursoul-x

The White Stripes at the Cunard Center, Halifax, Friday July 13th.



Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
 That_SOB wrote:
Are these the love children of Atom Ant and Amy Winehouse ?
 
would that be adam ant? totally different sound....

Posted 14 years ago by dharma_kid    [ Reply ]
this is great - luv it when jack white goes off on american genres
Posted 14 years ago by dharma_kid    [ Reply ]
Love everything about this song (including their look)!
Posted 14 years ago by Susan_Ssun    [ Reply ]
I really liked the white stripes.  More for their rootsy rock than this style of song but ever since i was introduced to the black keys i haven't had a yearning for them.  Actually thats someone i haven't heard on RP.  Anyone know how i find out if they have any black keys in their library?
Posted 14 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
From Traffic's "Low Spark" to this. Perhaps it's an unfair comparison, but this really suffers from it.
Posted 15 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
Ugh, Meh, Blah......"Give me my clothes back, thy divorced wench!"
Posted 15 years ago by j7    [ Reply ]
Enough of this song.  Pls put it/us out of its/our misery. 
Posted 15 years ago by finkle007    [ Reply ]
She's oddly attractive....more so dressed like that.
Posted 15 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
Are these the love children of Atom Ant and Amy Winehouse ?
Posted 15 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
I really want to like this song because of the instrumentation, especially the crumhorn, but the vocals ruin it for me.

Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 smehan55 wrote:

Hey, is that a Sears poncho you're wearin'? ;-)
 
I can see the zircon-encrusted tweezers by your side

Posted 15 years ago by Jared    [ Reply ]
I saw him playing and singing with Mick Jagger in this ,,Shine a light" movie. And that was not bad, indeed. But this song, completely different music!!

Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 hellokitty98 wrote:
more like truly great.
 
agreed, it's elegent simplicity - minimalist, without sacrifice.

These two are dedicated to their craft :)  Love 'em.

Posted 15 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
 daigoro wrote:
This song is truly awful.
  more like truly great.


Posted 15 years ago by hellokitty98    [ Reply ]
This song is truly awful.
Posted 15 years ago by daigoro    [ Reply ]
Anybody seen new movie It Might Get Loud featuring Jack White, the Edge and Jimmy Page sharing guitar tricks stories and playing? I've only seen trailer but would love to hear some reviews from anyone who has seen it
Posted 15 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
sweet.
I haven't heard much of the Stripes on RP lately.  Bill won't play Icky Thump even though I requested it a couple times.  Probably a lot of people would happy about that. 
Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
 AvoidingWork wrote:

I think the one thing I learned listening to RP is that you can hear anything.  I love it.  I just need to wait until payday to show it.

 
Thanks for saying it for me, too!  {#Smile}

Posted 15 years ago by macadavy    [ Reply ]
right near the entrance to Winterspring, you can find the corpse of Ickythump,  (WoW easter egg?)
Posted 15 years ago by gutboy    [ Reply ]
OMG Meg!  Meg!  Please, just one tiny sliver of wood from your broken drum sticks?  I'll pierce my eye with it Just For YOU!

OK, OK, not my eye ... how about my eardrum?
Posted 15 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
 realsleep wrote:
Never expected to hear this one on Radio Paradise.  Nice!

 
I think the one thing I learned listening to RP is that you can hear anything.  I love it.  I just need to wait until payday to show it.

Posted 15 years ago by AvoidingWork    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear this band can 'change it up' a bit..not their typical sound

Posted 15 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
Possibly my favorite song off of this album {#Bounce}
Posted 15 years ago by TheFriendlyCat    [ Reply ]
Never expected to hear this one on Radio Paradise.  Nice!

Posted 15 years ago by realsleep    [ Reply ]

7 {#Arrow} 8


Posted 15 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
This is definitely a song that the first cple of times you are saying to yourself...WTF!?!?!?!? 

But, the more you hear it, the more you like it. 

Solid 7 but only after hearing it about 5+ times.
Posted 16 years ago by dgavenda    [ Reply ]
Wow, The Raconteurs are one of my favorite bands but I never got into the White Stripes. So I am slowly pushing myself back through their library. Jack White is a genius.
Posted 16 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
Yaaah  White Stripes!!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! {#Bounce}
Posted 16 years ago by Kittee    [ Reply ]
 pdhski wrote:
sucks ass. 
 
kicks ass.
Posted 16 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
{#Stop} Take this OFF the playlist

Posted 16 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
It has to be said that generally, I love the Stripes.  But this one.......?{#Think}
Posted 16 years ago by Atlantis    [ Reply ]
following Simon & Garfunkel, it takes on a bit of Scarborough Fair quality I never would have noticed on any other playlist
Posted 16 years ago by jenakle    [ Reply ]
 kayaksurf4fun wrote:
Hmmmm.... i like it? contemporary Celtic fusion. opens my mind in an Andy Warhol "Can of Campbell Soup" way
 

Odd...his lunar module can opener, while a soft pink, doesn't otherwise resemble a wild rose at all.

(Now, did anyone follow that?  Here's a hint: it's a mythical pink)
Posted 16 years ago by rumplestiltskin    [ Reply ]
 Alpine wrote:
You may be right, I mean, are those real bagpipes, are those mexican bagpipes or are those Sears bagpipes?
 
Hey, is that a Sears poncho you're wearin'? ;-)
Posted 16 years ago by smehan55    [ Reply ]
sucks ass. 
Posted 16 years ago by pdhski    [ Reply ]
This is the only WS song I can stand.  It fits nicely in this set, however...

The White Stripes - Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn
Traffic - Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys
Tom Baxter - Skybound
Fotheringay - The Way I Feel


Posted 16 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Well, it made me smile. {#Yes}
Posted 16 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
There is nothing in the whole world that would make me like this song or this sound for any reason.
Posted 16 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
I've had one of those days where I'd like to get up and do a nutty dance like something at a renaissance festival right now.
Posted 16 years ago by Jack_Jefferson    [ Reply ]
alph wrote:
Another brilliant song from the best band in the world.
More like the most-overrated, most-overhyped band in the world. The White Stripes are nothing more than an above-average rock band; overall, their work gets a solid 6.5 from me...hardly the best band in the world.
Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
kayaksurf4fun wrote:
Hmmmm.... i like it? contemporary Celtic fusion. opens my mind in an Andy Warhol "Can of Campbell Soup" way
Extraordinary comment.
Posted 16 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
kayaksurf4fun wrote:
Hmmmm.... i like it? contemporary Celtic fusion. opens my mind in an Andy Warhol "Can of Campbell Soup" way
Yeah Jack's as Irish as a boiled potato. Just ask Jason Stollsteimer of the band "Von Bondies" what happens when you let your mouth overload your .
Posted 16 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
FlamingLotus wrote:
Holy Zeppelin, Batman!!!
With a bit of Within You Without You thrown in for good measure.
Posted 16 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
Holy Zeppelin, Batman!!!
Posted 16 years ago by FlamingLotus    [ Reply ]
Raw Irish at its best.... I wanna join the IRA, are they recruiting. Hmmm, maybe I'll just watch Braveheart again and support the lone krazy Irishman who supported Braveheart to his death....
Posted 16 years ago by kayaksurf4fun    [ Reply ]
Please... make it stop!!! Unbearable.
Posted 16 years ago by heeb    [ Reply ]
Nice transition from the Decemberists! That's why we pay Bill the big bucks to roll together these sweet tunes. We ARE paying him the big bucks, right? RIGHT? Right.
Posted 16 years ago by lathyris    [ Reply ]
Hmmmm.... i like it? contemporary Celtic fusion. opens my mind in an Andy Warhol "Can of Campbell Soup" way
Posted 16 years ago by kayaksurf4fun    [ Reply ]
bleh...
Posted 16 years ago by stevo_b    [ Reply ]
alph wrote:
Another brilliant song from the best band in the world.
thems' fightin' words, lad...
Posted 16 years ago by ematt    [ Reply ]
Another brilliant song from the best band in the world.
Posted 16 years ago by alph    [ Reply ]
AND TTTTTTTTHHHHUMPIN'!! yardsale wrote:
icky.
Posted 16 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
icky.
Posted 16 years ago by yardsale    [ Reply ]
fredriley wrote:
They're not bagpipes, I don't think - they sound like uillean pipes to me. The sound is too 'small' for regular bagpipes, though they could be using bonsai bagpipes... ;-)
You may be right, I mean, are those real bagpipes, are those mexican bagpipes or are those Sears bagpipes?
Posted 16 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
Good song, the rest of the album...well...to each his own. Think what you will of pipes (I happen to love em) this is a brilliant follow on the Pogues May 9 edit: equally brilliant on the Decemberists! prickelpit96 wrote:
Good album, unbearable song.
Posted 16 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Alpine wrote:
Hey! Bagpipes! How many songs have bagpipes?
They're not bagpipes, I don't think - they sound like uillean pipes to me. The sound is too 'small' for regular bagpipes, though they could be using bonsai bagpipes... ;-)
Posted 16 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
It has gotten to where I cannot make it through this song...gotta go. Back later.
Posted 16 years ago by redtex    [ Reply ]
i wish a lot fewer songs had bag pipes, this one included. or maybe i'd trade all the bag pipes in the world if they would just stop singing.
Posted 16 years ago by sparkyc    [ Reply ]
Alpine wrote:
Hey! Bagpipes! How many songs have bagpipes?
Too many? - do you know the difference between bagpipes and trampoline? People take of their shoes before jumping up and down on a trampoline. still, it almost works here...
Posted 16 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
I like it!!!
Posted 16 years ago by silverghost57    [ Reply ]
ok so this song started really low but each listen it moves up ever so slowly. and to have it follow the pogues got me in the mood for it.
Posted 16 years ago by rickhoran    [ Reply ]
rbigelo wrote:
This is enjoyably different and interesting and of course, my father and his family are a come from bonny Scotland, mother and hers, from Belfast, Northern Ireland; so bagpipes have a special place in my heart. This definitely has a strong Gaelic influence about it and I hear some gypsy, too.
Very interesting.
Posted 16 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
This is enjoyably different and interesting and of course, my father and his family are a come from bonny Scotland, mother and hers, from Belfast, Northern Ireland; so bagpipes have a special place in my heart. This definitely has a strong Gaelic influence about it and I hear some gypsy, too.
Posted 16 years ago by rbigelo    [ Reply ]
Bill...try some Danny Howells, 24/7, track 9 now...
Posted 16 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
great album, great song. both grew on me Of course, Icky Thump (the song) _kicked_ from the start.
AGREE totally! And I know I'm in the minority, but gawd, I love bagpipes! Save it, please, bagpipe haters. I simply can't listen to yas.
Posted 16 years ago by Kristi    [ Reply ]
This grates on my nerves.
Posted 16 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Zep.
Posted 16 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
Like this, just different eoungh to be good stuff. Not sure would make it through an entire CD but singles are good.
Posted 16 years ago by kingfish2004    [ Reply ]
Hey! Bagpipes! How many songs have bagpipes?
Posted 16 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
I like the White Stripes because they are artists exploring new arenas versus other musicians who just repeat the same formula.
Posted 17 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
What a terrible kind of whining... Where is Amnesty International to help them?? Why doesn't the UN make a resolution to never let them "sing" again... Even round a camp fire it would make the others try burning the instruments and maybe even the whiners...
Posted 17 years ago by matz    [ Reply ]
prickelpit96 wrote:
Good album, unbearable song.
great album, great song. both grew on me Of course, Icky Thump (the song) _kicked_ from the start.
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
Hey --- a WS song I can actually stand!
Posted 17 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
the Stripes do Janah
Posted 17 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
Good album, unbearable song.
Posted 17 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
Now I remember why we left the bagpipes across the pond. They're only interesting the first time; then they're annoying. Like this song. Downgrade.
Posted 17 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
OK, professors, how 'bout we just step back and appreciate this for what it is, some of the edgiest, gutsiest...best rock 'n roll being put out there...now or ever.
Posted 17 years ago by Moak    [ Reply ]
crinky wrote:
I agree that there is nothing wrong with simple drumming. To me, Tommy Ramone was the perfect drummer for the Ramones. He had the simplest possible drum set but he also had a great sense of timing and rhythm. That's what Meg lacks.
Meg may lack timing and rhythm, but she is ever so much better at it than I am!! And I really love this song - and this album too, for that matter.
Posted 17 years ago by Kristi    [ Reply ]
infinity wrote:
Almost as bad as Led Zeppelin.
YEAH.
Posted 17 years ago by blueyedmerle    [ Reply ]
Almost as bad as Led Zeppelin.
Posted 17 years ago by infinity    [ Reply ]
suddenchad wrote:
I could not agree more. Jack sans Meg just wouldn't be the same dynamic. (I didn't really care much for The Raconteurs myself.) There just seem to be a lot of people listening here who somehow got this idea that all rock is supposed to be slick and polished. Where did this notion ever come from? This isn't classical music or even jazz. Rough around the edges is what makes it rock, for crying out loud.
I agree that there is nothing wrong with simple drumming. To me, Tommy Ramone was the perfect drummer for the Ramones. He had the simplest possible drum set but he also had a great sense of timing and rhythm. That's what Meg lacks.
Posted 17 years ago by crinky    [ Reply ]
Vandy005 wrote:
Actually heard an interview with Jack where he said he likes the fact that Meg is not the best drummer in the world... It's what gives them that unique Stripes sound. Personally I have never figured out why so many of you out there don't like Jack and Meg... I guess them making it to their 5th album is just some kinda fluke, one of the great mysteries of life even? So here's to more crappy drum playing and scratchy, screaming vocals. I looovvvveee it!! More please Bill.
I could not agree more. Jack sans Meg just wouldn't be the same dynamic. (I didn't really care much for The Raconteurs myself.) There just seem to be a lot of people listening here who somehow got this idea that all rock is supposed to be slick and polished. Where did this notion ever come from? This isn't classical music or even jazz. Rough around the edges is what makes it rock, for crying out loud. Maybe some people SHOULD go back to listening to 70s corporate rock like Kansas--all slick and very self-important.
Posted 17 years ago by suddenchad    [ Reply ]
What a crappy song.
Posted 17 years ago by Land_Shark    [ Reply ]
DEAR GOD! MAKE IT STOP!
Posted 17 years ago by revsully    [ Reply ]
Those "clicks" and "hand slaps" are actually high speed bursts of data re-recorded at 100x speed in ASCII data format. Very interesting content too, but The Bangles Said it Already.
Posted 17 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
god bless. really.
Posted 17 years ago by grace6697    [ Reply ]
Actually, I think this quite an insult to follow such good artists with this tripe.
Posted 17 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Man, I thought that was Robert Plant. 7.
Posted 17 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
I like this disk quite a bit. Not quite as much as the last one (Get behind me satan) but it keeps growing on me.
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
No.
Posted 17 years ago by sutcliff    [ Reply ]
redtex wrote:
So.....this line of thinking makes Kansas talented?
You know I haven't listened to a lot of Kansas, but maybe I should start...
Posted 17 years ago by Vandy005    [ Reply ]
Vandy005 wrote:
... I guess them making it to their 5th album is just some kinda fluke...
So.....this line of thinking makes Kansas talented?
Posted 17 years ago by redtex    [ Reply ]
Actually heard an interview with Jack where he said he likes the fact that Meg is not the best drummer in the world... It's what gives them that unique Stripes sound. Personally I have never figured out why so many of you out there don't like Jack and Meg... I guess them making it to their 5th album is just some kinda fluke, one of the great mysteries of life even? So here's to more crappy drum playing and scratchy, screaming vocals. I looovvvveee it!! More please Bill.
Posted 17 years ago by Vandy005    [ Reply ]
There's a lot of negative opinion on here (and it is just that, opinion...)... but I guess some people can't live and let live... The White Stripes are very hit or miss. They hit with me, and miss with plenty of people I know. That's just how it goes.
Posted 17 years ago by bcorcoran    [ Reply ]
Icky says it all.
Posted 17 years ago by pannaramma    [ Reply ]
interesting song.. not what I expected from this band.
Posted 17 years ago by sfearll    [ Reply ]
Voice reminds me of Marc Bolan's.
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Shesdifferent wrote:
Get rid of this shite Have they retired yet?
Are you suggesting they be renamed as the White Shites?
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]