I See a Darkness
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

Well you're my friend
You have told me that we are friends

(It's what you told me)
This is what you said to me earlier

And can you see
Are you able to perceive or understand

(What's inside of me?)
The things or emotions that are deep within me

Many times
On numerous occasions

We've been out drinking
We have gone out to consume alcohol together

And many times
And on numerous of these occasions

We've shared our thoughts
We have spoken openly about our feelings and ideas

But did you ever, ever notice
Did you ever pay attention or see

The kind of thoughts I got?
The type of ideas that occur in my head

Well you know I have a love
You are aware that I possess a deep connection and affection

A love for everyone I know
This feeling of love extends to all the people I am acquainted with

And you know I have a drive
You understand that I have a sense of purpose or determination

To live I won't let go
That I will not let go of this will to keep living

But could you see it's opposition
Can you see the contrasting force to this will

Comes a-rising up sometimes
That surfaces or appears sometimes

That it's dreadful and position
That this force is causing fear and is taking a controlling stance

Comes blacking in my mind
Begins to dominate and consume my thoughts

And that I see a darkness
I am aware that there is a darkness in me

And that I see a darkness
This knowledge is repeated to reinforce its significance

And that I see a darkness
It is emphasized that this darkness is present

And that I see a darkness
And reiterated once more to highlight the intensity of this realization

And did you know how much I love you (and that I see a darkness)
Did you realize the extent of my love for you and the darkness I am aware of

Is a hope that somehow you (and that I see a darkness)
This love serves as a hope or wish that you might save me from this darkness

Can save me from this darkness?
Do you have the capacity to rescue me from this darkness?

Well I hope that someday, buddy
I hold onto the hope that one day, my friend

We have peace in our lives
That we can enjoy a state of calm and tranquility

Together or apart
Whether we are together or separated

Alone or with our wives
Whether we are alone or with our significant others

That we can stop our whoring
We can cease our patterns of seeking pleasure and instant gratification

And pull the smiles inside
We can find genuine happiness within ourselves

And light it up forever
We can bring enduring happiness into our lives

And never go to sleep
We can remain awake and alive to enjoy this happiness

My best unbeaten brother
You are the closest and most loyal friend I have

This isn't all I see
There is more to me and my situation than what I have shared so far

Oh no, I see a darkness
Previously mentioned, I see a darkness within me

Oh no, I see a darkness
Reiterated once more for emphasis

Oh no, I see a darkness
Again expressed to strongly convey the depth of this realization

Oh no, I see a darkness
One more time to highlight its importance

And did you know how much I love you (and that I see a darkness)
And that my love for you coexists with this darkness within me

Is a hope that somehow you, you (and that I see a darkness)
I am asking for your help to escape this darkness

Can save me from this darkness?
The question is repeated to emphasize the importance of this request