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.

Lessons From What's Poor
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

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When I go,
Follow my brother...
He's got the blood
Of father and mother...
And he has a spirit
That's even mightier

And if I hunger,

See that I do
Bring me water,
Bring me food...
And fill me up
With things that are true
And very good...

And if you want to,
Touch my wrist
With the hands
That I have kissed
And hold my cuffs,
So strong in your fists...

See now, watch,
How it is i am
Watch what i do...
And how I stand
And stand down boys
For we are grand,
Like now we part...

I take my lessons
From what's poor...
That's what God
Has put me here for...
Wealth is death,

Of that i'm sure...
Farewell

Overall Meaning

The song "Lessons From What's Poor" by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy is a tender and heartfelt meditation on the universal experience of mortality and the importance of living a life that is true and good. The opening verses describe the singer's sense of himself as part of a lineage, with his brother carrying on the legacy of their parents and possessing a great strength of spirit. The subsequent lines express a simple yearning for sustenance in the face of mortality, a wish that when the singer is hungry, someone will bring him food and water; and that these things, along with things that are true and good, will fill him up. The last verse seems to suggest a kind of acceptance of the inevitability of death, as well as a sense of obligation to "take lessons from what's poor" and recognize that wealth is ultimately destructive.

Throughout the song, the imagery is sparse and unadorned, with a sense of humility and a focus on the basic necessities of life. The repetition of phrases like "follow my brother," "see now watch," and "watch what I do" give the song a ritualistic quality, as though the singer is imparting wisdom to someone who will follow in his footsteps. At the same time, the tone is tender and personal, suggesting that the singer is singing directly to someone he loves and cares for.

Overall, "Lessons From What's Poor" is a beautiful and poignant song that speaks to the human experience of mortality and the importance of living a life that is true and good. It is a reminder to appreciate the simple things in life, to recognize the value of family and community, and to take stock of what is truly meaningful in our lives.

Line by Line Meaning

When I go,
As I depart,

Follow my brother...
Accompany my brother who shares my lineage,

He's got the blood
He has heritage and forebearers,

Of father and mother...
From our same parents,

And he has a spirit
He possesses an essence or life force,

That's even mightier
That is incredibly strong or powerful

And if I hunger,
If I feel hunger,

See that I do
Ensure that I get fed,

Bring me water,
Provide me with water,

Bring me food...
Bring me something to eat,

And fill me up
Completely sate my hunger,