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.

Lift Us Up
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lean into me darling
Though the war in light is fallin'
I'm an awesome dreamer
In a mirror light of star far galaxy

Oh and I
Lift us up
Lift us up

Lift us up

People don't you wonder
How the lord has brought you under
And demons light I'm dreaming
To the nakedness of sleeping

Oh and I
Lift us up
Lift us up
Lift us up

Lift it up
Above the light
It was the wonder of my life
And the creature form of superwolf
Will leave you eye to eye

And when I wrap around you
Ain't it wonderful I found you
And god in all his stature
In his nakedness desert

Oh and I
Lift us up
Lift us up
Lift us up

Oh and I
Lift us up

Lift us up
Lift us up

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Matt Sweeney's song "Lift Us Up" establishes a sense of intimacy and closeness between the two people in the relationship. The singer asks his partner to lean into him, acknowledging that the world around them is dwindling and fading away, but with each other, they can escape into their own dreams and hopes. He refers to himself as an "awesome dreamer" and contrasts their love to a "mirror light of star far galaxy". The use of the word "mirror" is significant as it reflects back on their relationship, highlighting the idea that they share a deep, meaningful connection.

The chorus repeats the phrase "lift us up" multiple times, almost as if the repetition is a mantra for them to keep hope alive and keep pushing through the darkness. The second verse explores the idea of religion, as the singer ponders how the "lord" has brought them together and how even in their dreams, they are still dealing with demons. He then repeats the chorus to emphasize the need for lifting up and finding hope, even in the darkest of places.

The final verse concludes the song, with the singer suggesting that he has found a kind of paradise with his lover. He describes wrapping around her as "wonderful" and finding "god in all his stature". The final "lift us up" repeats, emphasizing the message that they must cling to each other and stay uplifted even as chaos swirls around them.

Line by Line Meaning

Lean into me darling
Come closer to me, my love.

Though the war in light is fallin'
Even though times are tough and darkness looms.

I'm an awesome dreamer
I have great aspirations and imagination.

In a mirror light of star far galaxy
In the reflection of a starry, distant universe.

Oh and I Lift us up Lift us up Lift us up
I want to raise us higher and higher.

People don't you wonder
Have you ever thought?

How the lord has brought you under
How fate has led you here.

And demons light I'm dreaming
In a glimmer of demonic temptation, I dream.

To the nakedness of sleeping
To the simplicity of rest.

Lift it up
Elevate it.

Above the light
Higher than the brilliance of day.