Rudy Foolish
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics
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In a beautiful way
She's a panther girl
Trying to steal my world away
I'm sorry when you're ill
And under
And I know you will never be dead
Never be dead
Well a rudy day is a rudy day
In a beautiful way
She's a panther girl
Trying to steal my world away
I'm sorry when you're ill
And under the bend
And I know you will
Never be dead
Never be dead
The lyrics to "Rudy Foolish" by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Matt Sweeney may seem somewhat cryptic at first glance, but upon closer examination, they reveal a deeply poetic and introspective narrative. The song describes two different types of days, a "foolish day" and a "rudy day," but notes that both are beautiful in their own way. The central image of the song is a "panther girl" who is trying to steal the singer's world away. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for a romantic relationship that is both alluring and dangerous.
The repeated refrain of "I'm sorry when you're ill and under" suggests that the singer feels responsible for the panther girl's wellbeing, even though she may be the source of his troubles. Ultimately, though, he believes that she will never truly leave him or die.
Overall, "Rudy Foolish" is a melancholy and hauntingly beautiful meditation on love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Well a foolish day is a foolish day
A stupid day is just that, but even in its stupidity, it can still possess beauty.
In a beautiful way
Despite the foolishness of the day, it still carries elements of aesthetic appeal.
She's a panther girl
The woman being referred to embodies qualities of a panther, such as being predatory and cunning.
Trying to steal my world away
The panther girl is attempting to take away everything that the artist holds dear or valuable to him.
I'm sorry when you're ill
The artist apologizes for the pain and discomfort that the panther girl may experience even though she is the cause of his own hardship.
And under the bend
The panther girl is currently experiencing difficulty and distress.
And I know you will
Despite her current hardships, the singer knows that the panther girl will overcome them.
Never be dead
The panther girl will continue to persist and remain alive despite any challenges she may face.
Well a rudy day is a rudy day
Another way of stating that a foolish day is just that, but even in its foolishness, it can still bear beauty.
In a beautiful way
Just like before, despite the day's stupidity, it can still possess elements of aesthetic appeal.
She's a panther girl
The same panther girl is being referred to once again.
Trying to steal my world away
The same situation as before, where the panther girl is attempting to take away what's important to the artist.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
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