He and his sister Margaret were raised by their grandmother after their parents died. In 1984, aged 16, he appeared in local musical company Theatre Guild, Glasgow's production of Hans Anderson.
He worked as a book-binder for 6 years before pursuing an acting career. One of the books he bound was The Lord of the Rings. After book-binding, he attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where he earned a diploma in Dramatic Arts.
He has been in several plays, including San Diego and The Ballad Of Crazy Paola. He has also had a guest appearance in the Scottish TV sitcom Still Game, as well as in two episodes of long-running Scottish detective TV drama Taggart. Recently, he is starred in a BBC TV comedy Empty. He is currently starring as Richard MacDuff in BBC Radio 4's adaptation of Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently’s Holistic Agency series.
As well as being an actor, he can sing, and play the guitar, bass, and drums. He also wrote and sang The Steward of Gondor (also known as The Edge of Night) in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. He is currently the lead singer and co-songwriter in his band, Beecake (previously known as The Angels' Share). As of July 2008, the band has released an LP titled Just B and are currently recording their first album.
He remains close with his Rings' co-stars, most especially with Dominic Monaghan, whom he has written a script together.
He currently owns a house in Lesmahagow with his girlfriend, Alison McKinnon. On April 26, 2006, he and McKinnon welcomed their first child, son Jack William Boyd. On 2008, he revealed in an interview that he is engaged to McKinnon after proposing to her at the Ardanaiseig Hotel on Loch Awe, Scotland.
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Billy Boyd is also a pseudonym for legendary guitarist Jerry Cole, best known for his chops in The Champs' Tequila, and throughout The Beach Boys's Pet Sounds.
Steward of Gondor Song
Billy Boyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The world ahead.
And there are many paths to tread.
Through shadow,
To the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight
Mist and shadow
All shall fade
All shall...fade.
The lyrics of Billy Boyd's song Steward Of Gondor are deep and insightful, expressing the idea of moving forward in life while not forgetting one's roots. The initial line "Home is behind" acknowledges the past fondly, while the subsequent line "The world ahead" suggests that there is still much to be discovered and explored. The lyrics suggest that there are various paths to take in life and that the journey may not always be easy. The line "Through shadow, To the edge of night" implies that there may be hardships along the way but it is necessary to endure them in order to move toward one's destination. Finally, the last line "Until the stars are all alight" signifies the hope and the reward of the journey.
The chorus of the song, consisting of the lines "Mist and shadow, Cloud and shade, All shall fade, All shall...fade," is a realization that everything in life is temporary and fleeting. The use of such phrases as "Mist and shadow," and "Cloud and shade" conjure up images of transience and evanescence. The lyrics suggest that nothing is permanent and that everything fades away eventually.
Line by Line Meaning
Home is behind
Looking back at where you come from gives a sense of comfort and direction.
The world ahead.
The future is vast and unknown.
And there are many paths to tread.
There are numerous opportunities and options to explore.
Through shadow,
Life can be challenging and difficult to navigate.
To the edge of night
When things seem at their darkest and most uncertain.
Until the stars are all alight
Eventually, even the most difficult times will pass.
Mist and shadow
The unknown and unpredictable aspects of life.
Cloud and shade
The changing and fleeting nature of life and emotions.
All shall fade
Everything in life is temporary and fleeting.
All shall...fade.
Accepting the impermanence of life is necessary for growth and progress.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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