New Partner
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lay back,lay back, rest your head on my thighs
There is some awful action that just breathes from my hand
Just breaths from a deed so exquisetly grand
And you are always on my mind
And you are always on my mind
And you are always on my mind
Well, I would not have moved if I knew you were here
Its some special action with motives unclear
Now you'll haunt me, you'll haunt me
Till I've paid for what I've done
It's a payment which precludes the having of fun
And you are always on my mind
And you are always on my mind
And you are always on my mind
And you are always on my mind
But hello, I've got a new partner riding with me
I'v got a new partner, hello
Now the sun's fading faster, we're ready to go
There's a skirt in the bedroom that's pleasantly low
And the loons on the moor, the fish in the flow
And my friends, my friends still will whisper hello
We all know what we know, it's a hard swath to mow
When you think like a hermit you forget what you know
And you are always on my mind
And you are always on my mind
And you are always on my mind
And you are always on my mind
I've got a new partner, riding with me
I've got a new partner, riding with me
I've got a new partner, riding with me
I've got a new partner now
The lyrics to Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's song "New Partner" offers a complex narrative and a sense of contradicting emotions. The song begins by describing a beautiful sunset, suggesting a romantic landscape, but there is a note of trouble in the air. The artist then directly addresses someone who is "always on [his] mind," suggesting a lingering issue or even guilt. The line "lay back, lay back, rest your head on my thighs," shows intimacy between the singer and the person they are addressing, but at the same time, the lines "there is some awful action that just breathes from my hand/just breathes from a deed so exquisitely grand," creates a sense of discomfort and darkness.
As the song continues, the singer states that they would not have moved if they knew the person they are addressing was here, indicating that they may be running away or hiding from something. The singer acknowledges that they are haunted by their actions, and it is a weight on their mind that they can't shake off. However, the song ends on a slightly more positive note with the line "I've got a new partner riding with me." Perhaps the singer has found some sort of solace or refuge in a new relationship, but the weight of the past still lingers.
Overall, "New Partner" by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy is a complex and detailed exploration of love, guilt, and the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a black tinted sunset with the prettiest of skies
The sunset is beautiful, though it has a shadow of darkness.
Lay back, lay back, rest your head on my thighs
Take a moment to relax and rest your head on my thighs.
There is some awful action that just breathes from my hand
I have done something terrible, as if it has a life of its own.
Just breathes from a deed so exquisetly grand
A terrible action that has an impressive, grandiose quality.
And you are always on my mind
I constantly think about you.
Well, I would not have moved if I knew you were here
If I had known you were here, I would not have left.
Its some special action with motives unclear
I have done something specific, but the reasons for my actions are unclear.
Now you'll haunt me, you'll haunt me till I've paid for what I've done
Your memory will haunt me until I make amends for my actions.
It's a payment which precludes the having of fun
The retribution I must pay will prevent me from enjoying myself.
But hello, I've got a new partner riding with me
I have a new companion now.
Now the sun's fading faster, we're ready to go
The day is ending, and it's time for us to depart.
There's a skirt in the bedroom that's pleasantly low
There's a woman in my bedroom who is wearing a short skirt.
And the loons on the moor, the fish in the flow
The animals in the wild are active around us.
And my friends, my friends still will whisper hello
My friends still greet me warmly.
We all know what we know, it's a hard swath to mow
We are all aware of the situation, and it's a difficult task to deal with.
When you think like a hermit you forget what you know
If you isolate yourself, you may lose sight of what's important.
I've got a new partner, riding with me
I have a new companion.
I've got a new partner, riding with me
I have a new companion.
I've got a new partner, riding with me
I have a new companion.
I've got a new partner now
I have a new companion now.
Contributed by Caden O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.