Afraid Ain't Me
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics
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I've done fighting in my time.
Long live the people hear me shout,
And tell my enemies I'm blind now.
Cold and clear, cold and clear, [Gold and clean...?]
Alone I may be,
But afraid ain't me.
Trust to me your little ones,
Slow and sweet I teach.
Woman man in blended garments
Try to block my greatest moments.
Cold and clear, cold and clear,
Alone I may be,
But afraid ain't me.
Oh the little black one comes
No one shouts out my name
Oh the little white one comes
Think love is a game?
Treat me well when wandered to your door
Bathe me please for I am dirty
Wash me hard with scalding tears
And with bath water drain my fears.
Cold and clear, cold and clear,
Alone I may be but
Afraid ain't me.
Cold and clear, cold and clear,
Alone I may be but
Afraid ain't me.
The lyrics to Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's song "Afraid Ain't Me" are open to interpretation, but at their core, they seem to express a sense of resilience and determination in the face of difficulty. The singer acknowledges that they may have done things to deserve scorn, but that they have also fought hard in their time. They shout out to the people, proclaiming that they are not afraid, even though they may be alone.
The second verse speaks to the singer's ability to teach and guide others, despite the obstacles that may be in their way (such as those who try to block their "greatest moments"). The third verse introduces the idea of race, with the singer referring to "the little black one" and "the little white one." The final verse asks for kindness and cleansing, and ends with a repetition of the central refrain: "Alone I may be but afraid ain't me."
Overall, the lyrics seem to be about the singer's ability to withstand adversity and find inner strength, even when faced with opposition or isolation. The repeated line "cold and clear" suggests a kind of clarity or resolve in the face of difficulty, and the final refrain underscores the idea that fear is not a part of the singer's identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Scorn me not though I deserve,
Don't judge me even though I may have done wrong in the past.
I've done fighting in my time.
I've had my fair share of battles in life.
Long live the people hear me shout,
I stand with the people and fight for their prosperity.
And tell my enemies I'm blind now.
Let my foes know that I'm not affected by their tactics anymore.
Cold and clear, cold and clear,
My thoughts and feelings are crystal clear.
Alone I may be,
I may be by myself, but that doesn't mean I'm weak.
But afraid ain't me.
I'm not scared of anything.
Trust to me your little ones,
Have faith in me to teach and guide your children.
Slow and sweet I teach.
I take my time and show patience when instructing.
Woman man in blended garments
People of all genders and identities should be united.
Try to block my greatest moments.
Others may try to hold me back from my biggest achievements.
Oh the little black one comes
A person of color is approaching.
No one shouts out my name
No one acknowledges me or gives me recognition.
Oh the little white one comes
A white person is approaching.
Think love is a game?
Are you taking romance lightly?
Treat me well when wandered to your door
Please show kindness when I come to you for help.
Bathe me please for I am dirty
Cleanse my soul because I feel impure.
Wash me hard with scalding tears
Purge me of my pain through emotional cleansing.
And with bath water drain my fears.
Let my uncertainties and anxieties be washed away with the bath water.
Alone I may be but
Even though I may be isolated,
Afraid ain't me.
I refuse to be afraid.
Cold and clear, cold and clear,
My mind and heart are still lucid and composed.
Alone I may be but
Although I may be lonely,
Afraid ain't me.
I am still fearless.
Contributed by Emily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.