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.

The Eagle and the Hawk
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I am the eagle
I live in high country
In rocky cathedrals
That reach to the sky
I am the hawk and there′s blood on my feathers
But time is still turning
They soon will be dry
And all those who see me

And all who believe in me
Share in the freedom I feel when I fly
...
Come, dance with the west winds
And touch on the mountain tops
Sail over the canyons
And up through the stars
And reach for the heavens
And hope for the future

And all that we can be
Not what we are

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's song The Eagle and the Hawk depict the awe-inspiring freedom that the birds of prey experience in their lifetimes. The singer of the song suggests that he is the eagle and the hawk, living in high country and rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky. He speaks of the blood on his feathers, but time is still turning, and soon that blood will be dry. The singer invites all who see him and believe in him to share in the freedom he feels when he flies. The imagery created by the lyrics suggests the freedom and majesty of flight that only birds can experience.

In the last verse, the song extends an invitation to dance with the west winds and touch the mountain tops. The singer exhorts all to sail over the canyons and up through the stars. The song reaches a climactic conclusion, as the singer calls to all to reach for the heavens and hope for the future, and all that we can be, not what we are. In short, the song is a powerful invitation to embrace freedom and hope in our lives.

Line by Line Meaning

I am the eagle
I represent strength and freedom

I live in high country
I stay in places that are hard to reach

In rocky cathedrals
I live in natural spaces that are grand and awe-inspiring

That reach to the sky
Where the rocky cathedrals end, there is nothing but sky

I am the hawk and there's blood on my feathers
I am also a predator, and sometimes I must kill to survive

But time is still turning
Despite my violence, time will never stop flowing

They soon will be dry
The blood on my feathers will eventually go away

And all those who see me
People who witness my flight feel inspired

And all who believe in me
People who recognize my power and freedom also feel inspired

Share in the freedom I feel when I fly
Everyone who understands my strength and freedom can feel empowered themselves

Come, dance with the west winds
Join me, and feel the power of nature's winds from the west