The Lion Lair
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics
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Friends go one way I went mine
I got lost then very quickly
Started shaking feeling sickly
In the lion lair
In the lion lair
Watch your own self and take care
All alone and all around
Canyon clept above the ground
There was treeless flat around me
And no evil came and found me
In the lion lair
In the lion lair
Watch your own self and take care
I am outside, almost one with, all the life in the lion lair
Stars came out in midday burning
Earth grumbled stones were churning
Colors red were rocks and sky
And powered glint infused the eye
Had himself in no time at all
Hand on shaft and gripped his ball
Wished your mouth would come down on it
Feel your lips sink warm upon it
In the lion lair
In the lion lair
Watch your own self and take care
I am outside, almost one with, all the life in the lion lair
Beast and bird they called me kin
Bathed me and they tucked me in
Laid down on the forest ground
Stars above they shon on down
In the lion lair
In the lion lair
Watch your own self and take care
I am outside, almost one with, all the life in the lion lair
In the lion lair
In the lion lair
Watch your own self and take care
I am outside, almost one with, all the life in the lion lair
The lyrics of "The Lion Lair" by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy depict a journey into solitude, where the singer feels lost, sickly and shaken by the newness of the environment around him. However, slowly but surely, he becomes more in touch with his surroundings, as he feels almost one with all the life in the lion lair. Despite the potential danger and uncertain terrain, there is a comfort and familiarity that comes from being in the midst of nature. This is exemplified in the lines "Beast and bird they called me kin/Bathed me and they tucked me in/Laid down on the forest ground/Stars above they shon on down."
The lion lair can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically, as a place of danger and fierce animals, or as a place of solace and connection with the natural world. The singer may have set out to explore and get lost in nature, but he finds a sense of belonging in the midst of danger and the unknown. Interestingly, the song takes a different turn towards the end, with a sudden shift towards sexual imagery that seems unexpected given the pastoral and meditative tone of the first half of the song. However, it could be interpreted as a metaphor for the singer's desire to be fully immersed in the natural world, to have his physical body be united with the environment around him.
Overall, "The Lion Lair" is a song that evokes both the beauty and the danger of nature, as well as the sense of belonging and connection that can come from a deep immersion in the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
I took road and said goodbye
I left behind my friends and the familiar to embark on a new journey.
Friends go one way I went mine
I decided to go my own way and not follow the path of my companions.
I got lost then very quickly
I became disoriented and unsure of my surroundings soon after departing.
Started shaking feeling sickly
My anxiety and physical discomfort increased as I became more lost.
In the lion lair
I found myself in a place that seemed dangerous and unknown.
Watch your own self and take care
I needed to be cautious and look out for myself in this unfamiliar location.
I am outside, almost one with, all the life in the lion lair
Despite the potential dangers, I felt a connection to the natural world surrounding me.
All alone and all around
I was isolated and surrounded by unfamiliar terrain.
Canyon clept above the ground
I was in a desert environment with a deep gorge cutting through the landscape.
There was treeless flat around me
The terrain was barren, with no signs of vegetation visible.
And no evil came and found me
Despite my fears, nothing threatening or dangerous appeared in my surroundings.
Stars came out in midday burning
The intense heat caused the illusion of stars to appear in the daylight sky.
Earth grumbled stones were churning
The ground shook and rocks moved as if something were stirring below the surface.
Colors red were rocks and sky
The landscape was characterized by hues of red in both the rocks and the sky.
And powered glint infused the eye
The light reflecting off the terrain was nearly blinding.
Had himself in no time at all
The artist achieved a state of satisfaction or pleasure quickly and easily.
Hand on shaft and gripped his ball
The artist engaged in a sexual act or pleasured himself physically.
Wished your mouth would come down on it
The singer desired a sexual act to be performed on them by someone else.
Feel your lips sink warm upon it
The singer imagined the sensation of someone performing a sexual act on them and feeling their warmth.
Beast and bird they called me kin
The animals of the surrounding environment seemed to accept the artist as one of their own.
Bathed me and they tucked me in
The animals of the environment cared for the artist, providing a sense of nurturing and protection.
Laid down on the forest ground
The artist lay on the ground, surrounded by the creatures of the natural world.
Stars above they shon on down
The stars in the sky provided a peaceful, serene backdrop to the singer's experience.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sea Horse
Rise up out the bed, through the door and into streets, so bare.... then ease on down the road, my Bonnie and me.
nijago whatever
nice good shit good shit my man 100 100 lit af