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.

Joy and Jubilee
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's no reason to be seen
No-one knows where I have been
Where I have been
I mean love is what I mean

Joy, joy and jubilee
Joy, joy and jubilee
Joy, joy and jubilee

Joy, joy and jubilee

This is what I want to be
Everything's inside of me
Inside of me
Where only Sue should be

Joy, joy and jubilee
Joy, joy and jubilee
Joy, joy and jubilee
Joy, joy and jubilee

And everything
Is on a wing
And every face

Is in a hidden place
Mm, mm

Overall Meaning

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's song "Joy and Jubilee" is a melancholic tune with a deep meaning embedded within. The lyrics speak about being lost and searching for an identity, and ultimately finding joy and celebration within oneself. The first two lines, "There's no reason to be seen, No one knows where I have been," suggest that the singer is lost and uncertain about their purpose in life. However, the next line "I mean love is what I mean" could mean that the singer finds purpose and meaning in love.

The chorus of the song, which repeats four times throughout, consists of the lines "Joy, joy and jubilee" which could be interpreted as a call towards death, given that the terms are often used during funeral occasions. However, the singer seems to be seeking a new beginning rather than an ending, and the repetition of the line could indicate their determination to find joy and jubilee in their life. The next verse states that "This is what I want to be, everything's inside of me, inside of me, where only Sue should be." This could mean that the singer has realized that they don't need to search for external validation and that they can find happiness within themselves. The name "Sue" could be symbolic of someone who knows them best or who accepts them unconditionally.

Overall, "Joy and Jubilee" is a song that speaks about finding oneself and discovering happiness within. It encourages listeners to embrace themselves and find joy in their lives.

Line by Line Meaning

There's no reason to be seen
There is no purpose of showing myself to anyone

No-one knows where I have been
Nobody knows about my whereabouts

Where I have been
The places I have visited

I mean love is what I mean
By where I have been, I mean the experiences I have had with love

Joy, joy and jubilee
Happiness and celebration

This is what I want to be
I aspire for this level of contentment

Everything's inside of me
All that is necessary for joy is within me

Inside of me
Deep within myself

Where only Sue should be
Only I should have access to that place

And everything
All things

Is on a wing
Are in a state of rapid change