The Meaning Behind The Song: Rigs Of The Time by Sandy Denny

Often, music has the power to capture the essence of a particular era or highlight societal issues with poignant lyrics and melodies. Sandy Denny’s “Rigs Of The Time” is a powerful folk song that criticizes the dishonesty and corruption prevalent in society. The lyrics shed light on the injustices faced by common people at the hands of deceitful butchers, bakers, and landlords.

The song begins with the mention of an old butcher who manipulates the weighing scale to charge more for less weight. Despite his dishonesty, he confidently claims that it is “good weight” even though it clearly falls short. Sandy Denny sings, “Honesty ‘s all out of fashion, these are the rigs of the time.” This line highlights the prevailing notion that honesty is no longer valued and instead replaced by fraudulent practices.

The critique of dishonest practices extends to the baker as well. The lyrics portray a baker who charges tuppence for a loaf of bread, but the loaf is small and covered in yeast. Once again, the dishonesty is evident, reflecting the prevalent rigging of prices and quality in society. Sandy Denny emphasizes that these practices are not considered sins by the individuals perpetrating them, indicating a general decline in moral values.

The song further targets the landlord, who charges tuppence for a pint but delivers a short measure with froth covering the top of the pot. This verse highlights how even the people responsible for providing essential goods and services are capitalizing on scams. The repetition of “Honesty ‘s all out of fashion, these are the rigs of the time” emphasizes the sad reality that the prevailing trend is one of deceit and exploitation.

While the song paints a grim picture, it does end on a somewhat hopeful note. The final verse suggests a solution to the ongoing dishonesty and corruption. Sandy Denny proposes a metaphorical high gale of wind that will set all these individuals off balance. She envisions the cloud bursting and the “biggest old rascal” tumbling down first. This represents the hope that eventually, the truth will prevail, and those responsible for the scams will face their downfall.

Personally, this song resonates strongly with me. It reflects the frustration and disappointment one feels upon realizing the extent of dishonesty and corruption in the world. It serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and the need to fight against prevailing societal norms that perpetuate such unethical behavior.

As a listener, I find solace in the fact that even in the midst of turmoil, music serves as a powerful vehicle for social commentary. It gives a voice to the struggles and injustices faced by ordinary people. Sandy Denny’s hauntingly beautiful rendition of “Rigs Of The Time” captures the essence of the times she lived in and continues to be relevant today.

Music has a magical way of evoking emotions and sparking conversations. “Rigs Of The Time” prompts us to reflect on the state of our society and encourages us to strive for a world where honesty and fairness triumph over deceit and corruption. It reminds us that we all have a role to play in shaping the world we live in.

So, let’s sing along to the lyrics of “Rigs Of The Time” and ponder how we can contribute to making the world a better and more just place for everyone.