I Am a Cinematographer
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics
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I am a cinematographer
I am a cinematographer
I am a cinematographer
And I walked away from New York City
And I walked away from everything that's good
And I walked away from everything I leaned on
Only to find it's made of wood
I was a big ol' bear once
I was a big ol' bear once
I was a big ol' bear once
I was a big ol' bear once
And I walked away from California
And I walked away from everything that's known
And I walked away from everything I lived for
Only to find that everything had grown
I am a cinematographer
I am a cinematographer
I am a cinematographer
I am a cinematographer
If you were alone
You can walk away from Louisville alone
The song "I Am a Cinematographer" by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy is a reflection on the singer's choices to walk away from two major cities in search of something more meaningful. The repeated lines of "I am a cinematographer" could be interpreted as a statement of the singer's identity or profession in the film industry, yet they also become a mantra for the act of leaving and searching.
The first two verses follow a similar structure, with the singer stating that they walked away from a city and everything that was good or known to them. The repetition of "I am a cinematographer" creates a contrast with the act of walking away from stability, implying that there is a deeper purpose or creative urge driving the decision.
The final verse offers a variation on this theme, with the line "If you were alone / You can walk away from Louisville alone." Here, the emphasis shifts to the idea of being alone and the possibility of making big decisions by oneself. The song offers a sense of freedom and independence in the act of leaving, but also acknowledges the potential for loss and uncertainty along the way.
Overall, "I Am a Cinematographer" is a beautifully crafted song that captures the complex emotions of following one's dreams and taking risks.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a cinematographer
I am a professional who captures motion pictures on camera
I am a cinematographer
I am skilled in the art of visual storytelling through the lens
I am a cinematographer
I am a creator who translates emotions and ideas into moving images
I am a cinematographer
I am a visionary who frames the world in unique and beautiful ways
And I walked away from New York City
I willingly left behind the bustling city and its distractions
And I walked away from everything that's good
I abandoned what society deems as valuable to pursue my own path
And I walked away from everything I leaned on
I relinquished the crutches that kept me standing in one place
Only to find it's made of wood
To realize that what I gave up was flimsy and temporary, unlike my passion
I was a big ol' bear once
I used to be someone with a big presence and influence
I was a big ol' bear once
I embodied strength, but not necessarily in a positive way
I was a big ol' bear once
I may have been intimidating to others, but not to myself
I was a big ol' bear once
I was someone who stood out in a crowd, for better or for worse
And I walked away from California
I willingly left behind the place where I thought I could find happiness
And I walked away from everything that's known
I left behind familiarity to embrace the unknown and take risks
And I walked away from everything I lived for
I let go of the things that defined me in the past to redefine myself in the present
Only to find that everything had grown
I realized that the people and places I left behind had moved on and evolved without me
If you were alone
If you were in a solitary state
You can walk away from Louisville alone
You have the power to leave behind any place or situation, regardless of external factors
Contributed by Chloe S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.