Gulf Shores
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics
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It was slow going at first
Sister, you have laid long in the sun
Aren't you dying of thirst?
Oh, my dear, your suit is candy striped
And your legs are long and slim
If I whisper nothings in your ear
Will you pass them on to him?
You have laid here by the waterside
Since the day we came to town
Have you thought that you could waste away?
You don't care much for yourself
There are circles deep beneath your eyes
Why do you do this to yourself?
If you like, we two could take a ride
I would love to take you down
We could watch a blue heron in flight
We could see the sights in town
You have laid here by the waterside
You have let the family down
A cold and fruity drink awaits us both
Watch me frolic in the sand
Oh, did you see me in the surf
With a starfish in my hand?
Soon the restaurants will open up
And soon the bars will light their lights
You have aged, you must start looking up
As ugly things will come tonight
We could drive down to another beach
Even tan, your skin seems white
All our friends have gone away from here
So let's disappear from sight
The lyrics to Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's song Gulf Shores seem to be a conversation between two siblings. The singer appears to be trying to convince their sister to come along and enjoy the day with them but also seems to be concerned about their sister's well-being. The use of the phrase "aren't you dying of thirst?" conveys the idea that the sister has been idle by the water all day and has not taken care of herself. The singer continues to express their concern by pointing out the sister's physical appearance and asking her why she would do this to herself.
The lyrics appear to tell a story of a family vacation where the sister has become idle and possibly depressed, causing her to neglect herself. The singer's attempts to engage the sister in activities and conversation throughout the song indicate their concern and desire to help. The use of imagery, such as a "blue heron in flight" and "frolicking in the sand," serve to illustrate the carefree atmosphere of the beach and the possibilities it offers. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of familial love and concern, as well as the desire to make the most of a vacation before it's over.
Line by Line Meaning
It was hard enough to climb upon
Starting this journey was difficult and strenuous
It was slow going at first
Progress was slow and deliberate
Sister, you have laid long in the sun
Addressing someone who has been wasting away in the sun
Aren't you dying of thirst?
Asking about the person's well-being as they haven't been taking care of themselves
Oh, my dear, your suit is candy striped
Complimenting the person on their clothing
And your legs are long and slim
Praising the person's physique
If I whisper nothings in your ear
Asking for permission to share some intimate thoughts
Will you pass them on to him?
Requesting the person to pass on the message to a third party
You have laid here by the waterside
Pointing out that the person has been lying by the water for a long time
Since the day we came to town
Implying that they have been idle for a long time
Have you thought that you could waste away?
Asking the person if they have considered the consequences of their actions
You don't care much for yourself
Noting that the person is being careless with their own wellbeing
There are circles deep beneath your eyes
Observing that the person has dark circles beneath their eyes, indicating fatigue or illness
Why do you do this to yourself?
Expressing concern and asking why the person is not taking care of themselves
If you like, we two could take a ride
Suggesting a way to spend time together
I would love to take you down
Expressing a desire to spend more time with the person
We could watch a blue heron in flight
Proposing an activity they could do together
We could see the sights in town
Referring to other attractions they could explore
You have laid here by the waterside
Repeating the observation from earlier
You have let the family down
Indicating that the person's behavior is affecting others
A cold and fruity drink awaits us both
Suggesting a refreshment they could enjoy together
Watch me frolic in the sand
Drawing attention to their playful behavior
Oh, did you see me in the surf
Asking if the person is watching their activities
With a starfish in my hand?
Describing their playful activities by the water
Soon the restaurants will open up
Referring to upcoming activities in the area
And soon the bars will light their lights
Expecting more night activities soon
You have aged, you must start looking up
Noticing that the person has aged and encouraging them to be more positive
As ugly things will come tonight
Warning of unpleasant things that could happen in the future
We could drive down to another beach
Proposing more activities they could do together
Even tan, your skin seems white
Observing that the person's skin seems unusually white despite tanning
All our friends have gone away from here
Noticing that their friends have left the area
So let's disappear from sight
Proposing that they leave too
Contributed by Gabriella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@subsamadhi
Greatest Palace music-one of the best albums I have owned in the past decade
@EIWT
Absolutely brillant track with a super arrangement!
@johnlamb2754
This album lifts me every time .
@jamesdoctor8079
that piano line gets me every time
@seaotteR79
Oh Lord, what a heartbreaking song. "Ugly things will come tonight." Amazing.
@actonbell_Dez
Just love this song so much. Absolutely brillant!
@markdeamer6812
“You have let the family down” touches a nerve. This song touches a nerve. It can break me.
@benjaminvandecar8181
Wonderful, moves me every time
@andylutwyche5223
My favourite song of all time ❤️
@ederdeek
That second voice, also so beautiful, Will oldham my hero