Will Oldham (born 24 December 1970, Louisville, Kentucky) is an American si… Read Full Bio ↴Will Oldham (born 24 December 1970, Louisville, Kentucky) is an American singer-songwriter, actor, and musician. His music is often (perhaps inappropriately) placed under the genre of “alt-country”. Oldham has recorded under many names, including Palace, Palace Music, Palace Brothers, and Bonnie Billy. He often plays and records with other musicians, including David Pajo and his brothers Ned and Paul Oldham, but is generally the chief creator of the music. He has also been involved in musical projects and bands such as Amalgamated Sons of Rest, The Anomoanon, The Boxhead Ensemble, Tortoise, and The Sundowners as well as releasing his first solo album in 1993. Oldham has said that the Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy moniker has many references. These include ‘Bonnie’ Prince Charlie, an 18th century Jacobite; Billy the Kid, the 19th century American outlaw also known as William Bonney; and the American singer Nat King Cole. He has also appeared in several films, such as the 1987 film Matewan and most recently in Old Joy (released in late 2006). He is also the photographer of the cover image of the Slint album Spiderland.

Nomadic Revery
Bonnie "Prince" Billy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Today was one where, lost in thought
I really feel I am
Losing not an ounce of what
You see in me, my lamb

If you're not with me tomorrow
That would be the worst
I'm glad I dream of what I dream of

Today a thing was burst

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

My brain it beams, it's here at all
And living, I must work
To make our lives here justified
And not let trouble lurk

Instead of seeing monkeys biting
I lay on the ground
While my hectic travelling partner
Wandered all around

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Oh all around a left buttock
And all around a right
All around your every curve
I'm going to go tonight
But only hold me, hold me
All the city's on me
And all they wish to scold me
And lay their hands upon me
So only hold me, hold me
And I'll return't you baby
I just need an evening
With someone nice to hide me

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Oh all around

Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Overall Meaning

In "Nomadic Revery," Bonnie "Prince" Billy sings about being lost in thought and feeling like he is not losing any of the love that is given to him. He is grateful for his dreams and the burst of emotion that they bring to him. The lyrics suggest that the singer fears his lover will not be with him tomorrow, and this thought makes him feel unsettled. He is determined to make his life justified and keep trouble at bay, even if he dreams of monkeys biting him. In contrast, his "hectic traveling partner" wanders around freely, seemingly unaware of their surroundings. The song takes a sensual turn towards the end, as Bonnie sings about holding someone close to him to escape the scrutiny of the city around them.

The lyrics to "Nomadic Revery" seem to be a reflection of the singer's contemplative state of mind. The verses indicate a sense of longing for stability and security- of wanting to have someone there for him, regardless of where his travels take him. Interestingly, Bonnie "Prince" Billy does not reveal much about his traveling companion, which leaves the listener to speculate on the identity of this person. The dreamlike quality of the music complements the introspective nature of the lyrics, making "Nomadic Revery" a hauntingly beautiful song that resonates with listeners long after it has finished playing.

Line by Line Meaning

Today was one where, lost in thought
Today has been one of those days where I find myself lost in my thoughts

I really feel I am
I am entirely consumed in my thoughts

Losing not an ounce of what
I haven't lost any of the qualities you see in me

You see in me, my lamb
The characteristics you see in me, my dearest

If you're not with me tomorrow
If you won't be here with me tomorrow

That would be the worst
It would be the worst possible outcome

I'm glad I dream of what I dream of
I feel so lucky to have dreams that I have

Today a thing was burst
Today I overcame or accomplished something significant

Oh all around
Everything around me

It's kept together moving all around
Is cohesive and continuously moving

My brain it beams, it's here at all
I constantly think and process information

And living, I must work
I have to work in order to make a living

To make our lives here justified
To make our lives meaningful in this world

And not let trouble lurk
And keep away any potential problems

Instead of seeing monkeys biting
Rather than witnessing violent or upsetting situations

I lay on the ground
I lay down on the ground

While my hectic travelling partner
While my busy and restless companion

Wandered all around
Moved around restlessly

Oh all around a left buttock
Every inch of your left buttock

And all around a right
Every inch of your right buttock

All around your every curve
Every curve of your body

I'm going to go tonight
I will be there tonight

But only hold me, hold me
Just hold me and embrace me

All the city's on me
The entire city is after me

And all they wish to scold me
And everyone wants to criticize me

And lay their hands upon me
And treat me unfairly

So only hold me, hold me
So just hold me tight

And I'll return't you baby
And I will come back to you, my love

I just need an evening
I just need a night to unwind

With someone nice to hide me
With someone kind enough to comfort and protect me

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Max Pospelov

Today was one where, lost in thought
I really feel I am
Losing not an ounce of what
You see in me, my lamb
If you're not with me tomorrow
That would be the worst
I'm glad I dreamt of what I dream of
Today a thing was burst
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
My brain it beams, it's here at all
And living, I must work
To make our lives here justified
And not let trouble lurk
Instead of seeing monkeys biting
I lay on the ground
While my hectic travelling partner
Wandered all around
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
O all around a left buttock
And all around a right
All around your every curve
I'm going to go tonight
But only hold me, hold me
All the city's on me
And all their wish to scold me
And lay their hands upon me
So only hold me, hold me
And I'll return't you baby
I just need an evening
With someone nice to hide me
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around

All comments from YouTube:

Raver

12y↑18

One of the best pieces of music ever. So desperate, so beautiful.

TheRoaaar

13y↑5

I found this album in a pile of junk in the back of closet two weeks ago, completely forgot I even had it. Ever since I have been listening to it non-stop, escpecially this song. I don't know why I didn't like it as much before, but I am completely hooked now. It's amazing!

D-F

13y↑3

The ending is absolutely amazing. One of my favorite parts in any song.

James Mudd

12y↑5

its just not fair that this guy can make every track great! I've spent too much buying his albums! its literally unfair to the informed music consumer!