A Minor Place
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics
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And I can say I like its face
If I am gone and with no trace
I will be in my minor place
Well, I put the shoes in line
Separate the women mine
As we do what we do fine
So victorious, so benign
Well, I've been to a minor place
And I can say I like its face
If I am gone and with no trace
I will be in my minor place
Only take the weather warm
And the job that does me harm
Since the scars of last year's storm
Rest like maggots on my arm
Well, I've been to a minor place
And I can say I like its face
If I am gone and with no trace
I will be in my minor place
Thank you man if for the thought
That all my loving can be bought
Was wisely in your gullet caught
Before my loyalty you sought
Well, I've been to a minor place
And I can say I like its face
If I am gone and with no trace
I will be in my minor place
No it's not a desert nor a web
Nor a tomb where I lay dead
Minor in a sound alone
Yes, a clear commanding tone
Singing from my little point
And aching in my every joint
I thank the world it will anoint me
If I show it how I hold it
The lyrics to Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's song A Minor Place suggest a sense of contentment with solitude and simplicity. The singer describes a place that is not grand or prestigious, but rather a "minor place" that they find enjoyable. The repetition of the lines "Well, I've been to a minor place / And I can say I like its face / If I am gone and with no trace / I will be in my minor place" emphasizes the singer's comfort and satisfaction within this "minor place."
The singer also seems to prioritize their own pleasure and comfort above all else. They describe putting their own shoes in line and separating the women who are "mine," indicating a possessive relationship. They only take on jobs and weather that suit them, and they acknowledge the scars of their past experiences but seemingly do not dwell on them.
Overall, the song suggests a certain level of detachment from the pressures and expectations of society, and a celebration of one's personal preferences and happiness within a modest, unassuming setting.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I've been to a minor place
I have been to a place that is not of much importance or significance
And I can say I like its face
But despite that, I find the place pleasing and attractive
If I am gone and with no trace
If I were to disappear unnoticed
I will be in my minor place
I would still find comfort in the minor place that I had visited before
Well, I put the shoes in line
I have a ritualistic or compulsive habit of arranging my shoes in an orderly manner
Separate the women mine
I keep my female partners separate from each other
As we do what we do fine
As we continue our daily activities with great skill and proficiency
So victorious, so benign
We feel triumphant and benevolent in our actions
Only take the weather warm
I prefer only warm weather conditions
And the job that does me harm
And the job that harms me emotionally or physically
Since the scars of last year's storm
Since the wounds of the previous year's traumatic experience still haunt me
Rest like maggots on my arm
They feel like a heavy burden and refuse to let go
Thank you man if for the thought
I appreciate you for considering me
That all my loving can be bought
In believing that all my love and loyalty can be bought with material things
Was wisely in your gullet caught
You were wise in realizing this before trying to buy my loyalty
Before my loyalty you sought
Before attempting to gain my loyalty through material means
No it's not a desert nor a web
The minor place I speak of is not a desolate or entangled place like a desert or a web
Nor a tomb where I lay dead
Nor a place where I am lifeless and inactive like a tomb
Minor in a sound alone
It is minor only in the sense that it is not of great importance or significance
Yes, a clear commanding tone
But it still commands respect and attention with its clear presence
Singing from my little point
I am speaking from my small and insignificant viewpoint
And aching in my every joint
But it is weighing heavily on me and causing me pain in every way
I thank the world it will anoint me
But I am grateful that the world will recognize and acknowledge me despite my small stature
If I show it how I hold it
If I demonstrate my value and worth to the world
Contributed by Gianna Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.