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.

A Beast for Thee
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Why aren't you kind to me?
You could so easily
Take me in your arms and see
A donkey
A beast for thee

If you had half a mind
Leave worldly things behind

Devote to being kind
You to me
A beast for thee

Loving some way you choose
God's plans can easy bruise
One bone and blood mass we fuse
And I can be
A beast for thee

I will toil for years and years
Give you muscle, tone, and tears
Overcome and flay all fears
Leaving me
A beast for thee

And at home on Wednesday morn
Astride my horny horde
You'll be in glory born
And I will a beast for thee
Happily a beast for thee

Quietly a beast for thee
Endlessly a beast for thee

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Beast For Thee by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Matt Sweeney seem to be a plea for love and acceptance from someone who appears to be indifferent or unkind. The singer is willing to do anything for love and to please the person they love, even if it means transforming themselves into a beast. The repeated phrase "A beast for thee" suggests a willingness to sacrifice their own identity for the good of the relationship.

The song speaks to the idea that love requires sacrifice and sometimes we must shed our own identity to be loved by the ones we desire. The lines "Loving some way you choose, God's plans can easily bruise" suggest that even if we are willing to make sacrifices, love may still be difficult and may not always go according to plan.

Overall, Beast For Thee presents a bittersweet, melancholy view of love - one that reconciles the joys and frustrations that come with it.

Line by Line Meaning

Why aren't you kind to me?
I question your cruelty towards me.

You could so easily
It wouldn't take much effort from you.

Take me in your arms and see
Hold me close, and you'll understand.

A donkey
I appear obstinate and stubborn.

A beast for thee
In the end, I'll be your devoted servant.

If you had half a mind
If you had any wisdom in you.

Leave worldly things behind
Abandon material possessions and desires.

Devote to being kind
Dedicate yourself to being compassionate.

You to me
You'd also receive kindness and devotion from me.

Loving some way you choose
Your love and actions can take any form.