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.

At Break of Day
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know the sun's about to come up
I close my eyes anyway
My mouth is dry and the sheets are cold
And will be still come break of day

You called me up just to surprise me
To hear my voice, see what I'd say
I only whispered, and then hung up

Whispered "wait till break of day"

At break of day I'm ending all of it
And so don't say you've had a ball
Dawn is mine, but I will share it
With whatever bird will wear it
On her body bare and pink
Now what do you think of break of day

I locked my door, I should unlock it
What if you should come this way
And in and have a drink and dancing
Dancing till the break of day

And then to bed we'd dance towards
And tiredly kiss and roll in hay
But waking in the evening I see
You left after break of day

At break of day I'm ending all of it
And so don't say you've had a ball
Dawn is mine, but I will share it
With whatever bird will wear it
On her body bare and pink
Now what do you think of break of day

At break of day I'm ending all of it
And so don't say you've had a ball
Dawn is mine, but I will share it
With whatever bird will wear it
On her body bare and pink
Now what do you think of break of day

I hate myself when I'm alone
It's just with you I feel okay

And so tomorrow you'll fell sorrow
When I am gone at break of day

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's song "At Break of Day" talk about an impending end to a relationship, with the singer preparing to break up with their significant other. The beginning of the song describes a sense of melancholy and uncertainty, with the singer anticipating the sunrise and closure it could bring. Despite this, they still feel conflicted and hesitant, as evidenced by the lines "I know the sun's about to come up, I close my eyes anyway."

The second verse speaks of a surprise phone call from the significant other, who may be unaware of the singer's intentions. The singer only whispers in response and tells the significant other to "wait till break of day," perhaps alluding to the impending break-up. The third verse suggests a desire for a final night together, with the singer locking their door in anticipation of the significant other's arrival. However, the final lines of the song reveal that the singer will still go through with the break-up, causing sorrow for the significant other.

The song's lyrics are bittersweet and pensive, exploring the complex emotions surrounding the end of a relationship. The use of imagery, such as the sunrise and the bird wearing the dawn, adds a poetic and mysterious quality to the lyrics. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the sense of finality and closure present throughout the song.

Line by Line Meaning

I know the sun's about to come up
I'm aware day is starting

I close my eyes anyway
However, I refuse to witness it

My mouth is dry and the sheets are cold
A result of my anxiety

And will be still come break of day
Which persists until the morning light

You called me up just to surprise me
You rang me without warning

To hear my voice, see what I'd say
Merely to gauge my reaction

I only whispered, and then hung up
I gave a quiet, cryptic response

Whispered "wait till break of day"
Suggesting a significant event to come

At break of day I'm ending all of it
I'm planning to take drastic measures

And so don't say you've had a ball
You must not pretend everything is fine

Dawn is mine, but I will share it
I'll permit others to partake in it

With whatever bird will wear it
Envisioning a bird donning it as a symbol

On her body bare and pink
Displaying it for all to see

Now what do you think of break of day
Inviting thoughts on the subject

I locked my door, I should unlock it
I'm hesitant about leaving it locked

What if you should come this way
Fearing your unexpected arrival

And in and have a drink and dancing
Joining me for refreshments and dancing

Dancing till the break of day
Celebrating until the morning

And then to bed we'd dance towards
Proceeding toward the bed together

And tiredly kiss and roll in hay
Exhaustedly embracing one another

But waking in the evening I see
Upon waking in the evening, I realize

You left after break of day
You exited shortly after dawn

I hate myself when I'm alone
My loneliness breeds self-loathing

It's just with you I feel okay
Except with you, when I'm content

And so tomorrow you'll fell sorrow
Tomorrow, you'll experience sorrow

When I am gone at break of day
When I take my leave in the morning

Contributed by Gianna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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01May It Always Be4:04

02Careless Love2:06

03A King at Night4:29

04Just To See My Holly Home3:40

05At Break of Day4:16

PT4M16S

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

06After I Made Love to You3:53

07Ease Down the Road3:06

08The Lion Lair6:01

09Mrs. William3:03

10Sheep2:54

11Grand Dark Feeling of Emptiness3:23

12Rich Wife Full of Happiness3:06

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Meow Francess

1y↑2

i know the suns about to come up
i close my eyes anyway
my mouth is dry and the sheets are cold
and will be still come break of day
you called me up just to surprise me
to hear my voice, see what i had to say
i only whispered then hung up
i whispered, "wait till break of day."
at the break of day im ending all of it
and so dont say youve had a ball
dawn is mine but i will share it
with whatever bird will wear it
on her body bare and pink
now what do you think of break of day?
i locked my door, i should unlock it
what if you should come this way?
and in and have a drink and dancing
dancing till the break of day
and then to bed we danced towards
and tiredly kiss and roll in hay
but waking in the evening i see
you left after break of day
at the break of day im ending all of it
and so dont say youve had a ball
dawn is mine but i will share it
with whatever bird will wear it
on her body bare and pink
now what do you think of break of day?
at the break of day im ending all of it
and so dont say youve had a ball
dawn is mine but i will share it
with whatever bird will wear it
on her body bare and pink
now what do you think of break of day?
i hate myself when im alone
its just with you i feel ok
so tomorrow youll feel sorrow
when i am gone at break of day