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.

Nomadic Revery
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Today was one where, lost in thought
I really feel I am
Losing not an ounce of what
You see in me, my lamb

If you're not with me tomorrow
That would be the worst
I'm glad I dream of what I dream of

Today a thing was burst

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

My brain it beams, it's here at all
And living, I must work
To make our lives here justified
And not let trouble lurk

Instead of seeing monkeys biting
I lay on the ground
While my hectic travelling partner
Wandered all around

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Oh all around a left buttock
And all around a right
All around your every curve
I'm going to go tonight
But only hold me, hold me
All the city's on me
And all they wish to scold me
And lay their hands upon me
So only hold me, hold me
And I'll return't you baby
I just need an evening
With someone nice to hide me

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Oh all around
Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Oh all around

Oh all around
It's kept together moving all around

Overall Meaning

In Nomadic Revery, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy sings about being lost in thought and reflecting on his life. He feels like he is not losing any of the qualities that people admire in him, but he also feels like something is bursting inside of him. The lyrics suggest that he is afraid of losing someone close to him and he dreams of them to compensate for that feeling. The imagery of monkeys biting and a hectic traveling partner wandering all around contrasts with his desire for stability and someone to hold him.

The lyrics also describe the struggle to make life meaningful and justified, while trying to avoid trouble. The city and its inhabitants seem to be judging and scolding him, but he just wants someone to hold him and provide comfort. The repetition of "Oh all around" suggests that there is movement and change happening, but things are still held together.

Overall, the song seems to be about the desire for stability in a life that feels chaotic and uncertain, and the need for someone to provide comfort and support.

Line by Line Meaning

Today was one where, lost in thought
Today I am deep in thought

I really feel I am
My thoughts are consuming me

Losing not an ounce of what
I'm not losing a single part of myself

You see in me, my lamb
The qualities you see in me are still present

If you're not with me tomorrow
If you're not here tomorrow

That would be the worst
It would be terrible

I'm glad I dream of what I dream of
I'm happy with my dreams

Today a thing was burst
Something has been released in me today

Oh all around
Everything around me

It's kept together moving all around
The world moves forward despite everything

My brain it beams, it's here at all
My brain is alert and present

And living, I must work
I have to work to survive

To make our lives here justified
To make our existence meaningful

And not let trouble lurk
And avoid problems

Instead of seeing monkeys biting
Instead of seeing the negative in things

I lay on the ground
I lay down and relaxed

While my hectic travelling partner
While my busy companion

Wandered all around
Goes exploring

Oh all around a left buttock
All around your left buttock

And all around a right
And all around your right

All around your every curve
Every part of your body

I'm going to go tonight
I'll be there tonight

But only hold me, hold me
Just hold me, hold me

All the city's on me
The city is pressuring me

And all they wish to scold me
And everyone wants to criticize me

And lay their hands upon me
And I feel like they want to harm me

So only hold me, hold me
So just hold me, hold me

And I'll return't you baby
I'll come back to you, baby

I just need an evening
I just need some time

With someone nice to hide me
With someone who will protect me

Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Max Pospelov

Today was one where, lost in thought
I really feel I am
Losing not an ounce of what
You see in me, my lamb
If you're not with me tomorrow
That would be the worst
I'm glad I dreamt of what I dream of
Today a thing was burst
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
My brain it beams, it's here at all
And living, I must work
To make our lives here justified
And not let trouble lurk
Instead of seeing monkeys biting
I lay on the ground
While my hectic travelling partner
Wandered all around
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
O all around a left buttock
And all around a right
All around your every curve
I'm going to go tonight
But only hold me, hold me
All the city's on me
And all their wish to scold me
And lay their hands upon me
So only hold me, hold me
And I'll return't you baby
I just need an evening
With someone nice to hide me
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around
O all around
O all around
It's kept together moving all around

All comments from YouTube:

Raver

12y↑18

One of the best pieces of music ever. So desperate, so beautiful.

TheRoaaar

13y↑5

I found this album in a pile of junk in the back of closet two weeks ago, completely forgot I even had it. Ever since I have been listening to it non-stop, escpecially this song. I don't know why I didn't like it as much before, but I am completely hooked now. It's amazing!

D-F

13y↑3

The ending is absolutely amazing. One of my favorite parts in any song.

James Mudd

12y↑5

its just not fair that this guy can make every track great! I've spent too much buying his albums! its literally unfair to the informed music consumer!