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.

Crying In The Chapel
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You saw me crying in the chapel
The tears I shed were tears of joy
I know the meaning of contentment
I am happy with the Lord

Just a plain and simple chapel
Where all good people go to pray
I prayed the Lord that I'll grow stronger

As I live from day to day

Well, I'll search and I'll search but I'll never find
Nowhere to go to find peace of mind

Now I'm happy in the chapel
Where people are of one accord
Yes, we gather in this chapel
Just to sing and praise the Lord

You'll search and you'll search but you'll never find
Nowhere on earth to find peace of mind

Take your troubles to the chapel
Get down on your knees and pray

Then your burdens will be lighter
And you'll surely find a way

Overall Meaning

The song "Crying In The Chapel" by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy is a religious ballad that communicates the joyful nature of worship in a chapel. The opening lines of the song mention that the singer was seen crying in the chapel. However, instead of tears of sorrow, the tears shed were tears of joy as a result of the overwhelming feeling of contentment, which can be experienced when one gathers in a chapel to praise and worship God. The song, therefore, serves as a testimony to the power of communal worship.

The plain and simple chapel, which the singer references in the second verse, is symbolic of the fact that one's socioeconomic status or background does not matter when you come to worship. In the same verse, the singer prays for the strength to endure the day to day challenges of life, highlighting that the chapel serves as a refuge for the weary and burdened, a place where one can find solace and strength to face the challenges of life.

The final verse encourages the listener to "Take your troubles to the chapel, Get down on your knees and pray," highlighting that the act of prayer can alleviate one's burdens, lighten one's heavy load, and help one find a way forward in difficult situations. Overall, the song's message is one of hope, joy, and the power of communal worship.

Line by Line Meaning

You saw me crying in the chapel
Someone witnessed me crying inside the chapel

The tears I shed were tears of joy
My tears were caused by immense happiness

I know the meaning of contentment
I understand the real essence of satisfaction

I am happy with the Lord
My happiness originates from being with God

Just a plain and simple chapel
The chapel is an uncomplicated, unadorned building

Where all good people go to pray
A place where every virtuous person seeks to communicate with God

I prayed the Lord that I'll grow stronger
I prayed for strength and growth from God

As I live from day to day
As I try to navigate daily life

Well, I'll search and I'll search but I'll never find
Although I will try consistently, I won't discover

Nowhere to go to find peace of mind
There is nowhere to find serenity

Now I'm happy in the chapel
I'm delighted and content in the chapel nowadays