Lie Down in the Light
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics
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and the earth's protective skin
fails and peels back, face to chin
then we start it all again
why do you frown?
why do you try?
why don't you lie down
Who's gonna hold my heart
Who's gonna be my own own own?
Who's gonna know when all is dark
that she is not alone?
Heed this word: beware
for my heart's ways are unclear
a fundamental prayer
leaves the evil one stripped bare
why do you frown?
why do you try?
why don't you lie down
in the light?
Who's gonna hold my heart
Who's gonna be my own own own?
Who's gonna know when all is dark
that she is not alone?
everybody says that it's all right to be there
everybody says that it's all right to show
time and again one of us falls behind
it's as if we tried to know what
we can't really know
The opening lines of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's "Lie Down in the Light" ask us to contemplate the cyclical patterns of life, death, and rebirth. The sun ushers us in, and the skin of the earth peels back, revealing the insides. But as soon as everything seems to be ending, it all starts anew. These cyclic, sometimes chaotic transformations can often breed confusion, uncertainty, and fear, but "Lie Down in the Light" encourages us to find peace in the midst of change: "why do you frown? why do you try? why don't you lie down in the light?"
As the song progresses, it turns from these cyclical and elemental contemplations to more intimate and personal ones, as the singer wonders who will be the one to hold their heart, and when everything seems dark, who will be there to show them that they're not alone. The final lines of the song leave us with a frustrated sense of trying to understand the world and our place in it, as everyone around us tells us that everything's okay, even as we stumble and fall behind, unable to know what we can't truly understand.
Overall, "Lie Down in the Light" is a song that invites us to seek peace, even in times of tumult and confusion, and reminds us that despite how alone and uncertain we may feel, there's always the possibility of finding love, companionship, and understanding in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
When the sun welcomes us in
As the day begins
and the earth's protective skin
the darkness of the night is peeled away, revealing the earth
fails and peels back, face to chin
revealing everything from head to toe
then we start it all again
beginning another day anew
why do you frown?
why are you sad?
why do you try?
why do you struggle?
why don't you lie down
why don't you relax
in the light?
in the sunshine
Who's gonna hold my heart
Who will be my lover?
Who's gonna be my own own own?
Who will truly understand me?
Who's gonna know when all is dark
Who will be there when I'm scared or lonely?
that she is not alone?
To reassure me that everything is going to be alright
Heed this word: beware
Listen closely to this warning
for my heart's ways are unclear
Because I am complex and unpredictable
a fundamental prayer
A simple and honest request
leaves the evil one stripped bare
Will defeat and disarm any evildoer
everybody says that it's all right to be there
Everyone tells you that you belong
everybody says that it's all right to show
Everyone tells you it's okay to be yourself
time and again one of us falls behind
Repeatedly, one of us is left behind
it's as if we tried to know what
As if we attempt to understand what
we can't really know
We are unable to comprehend
Contributed by Muhammad B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.