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.

Master and Everyone
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You tell me you don't love me
Well, I don't love you
You say that you don't want me
Well, I don't want you

You tell me there are other fish in the sea
And another gathers roses for me
On this we will agree

You do what you want
And I will do what I want
I'm now free master and everyone
Servant of all and servant to none

And constancy in love is a joke
I'm not afraid of meeting you
I'm fickle and I brag about it
Neither will I cry for you

And like a bird freed from its cage
All night and all day I'll play and sing

And you do what you want
And I will do what I want

I'm now free master and everyone
Servant of all and servant to none

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of “Master and Everyone” by Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy depict a scenario where two individuals are no longer in love with each other, and each person decides to move on from the relationship. The song’s subject matter is communicated through blunt declarations of what each party wants out of the union. While each person admitted that another person will come along for them, they also agree to go separate ways.

The singer is quite clear and honest about not being afraid to move on from their ex-lover. They proudly claim to be fickle and to have no regards towards being faithful in relationships. The song’s main character is also okay with the idea of the former lover seeing other people because he is now free to do what he wants. The lyrics indicate that the singer is a self-proclaimed master and may enjoy the newfound freedom from being in servitude to anyone.

In conclusion, the song speaks to a sense of personal autonomy and liberation following a relationship’s end. It suggests that constancy is not always attainable in love, but being honest with oneself and one's feelings often leads to a fruitful life.

Line by Line Meaning

You tell me you don't love me
When you say you don't love me, I don't love you either.

Well, I don't love you
The feeling is mutual, because I also don't love you.

You say that you don't want me
If you say that you don't want me, then I don't want you either.

Well, I don't want you
I don't have any desire for you either, since you don't want me.

You tell me there are other fish in the sea
You suggest that there are other options for me, besides you.

And another gathers roses for me
Someone else will bring me roses, as a sign of their affection.

On this we will agree
We can come to an understanding on this point.

You do what you want
You have your will, and can choose what you wish to do.

And I will do what I want
I also have my own desires and can take whatever path I want.

I'm now free master and everyone
I have achieved freedom from external control and am the master of my own actions.

Servant of all and servant to none
I am still willing to serve others, even though I am not subservient to anyone else.

And constancy in love is a joke
Remaining faithful in love is a ridiculous idea to me.

I'm not afraid of meeting you
I don't fear interactions with you anymore.

I'm fickle and I brag about it
I am indecisive about my emotions and like to boast about it.

Neither will I cry for you
I won't shed any tears over our separation.

And like a bird freed from its cage
I feel liberated and unencumbered, like a bird who has escaped from confinement.

All night and all day I'll play and sing
I plan to enjoy myself and partake in music day and night.

I'm now free master and everyone
I have secured true independence from all sources and am the master of my own fate.

Servant of all and servant to none
Even though I am not beholden to anyone, I am still happy to serve others.

Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Pearly Baker

7y↑1

this is one of the most amazing songs...when I sing it, I gesture and sing loud, crying as if I'm on some opera stage...but his voice is so calm and clear...it makes the song that much more incredible. beyond lovely.