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.

There Will Be Spring
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

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There will be spring to the very end,
I'll sleep to the sound of burning winter.
Place for me built, and for my friends.
by which will pass each on his venture.
My father's house is gone
and all the houses in his town have crumbled.
I am a child, ten inches tall.
and I have grown while they have stumbled.

And what will be ours to do today.
is to name everything we see

after what we are and who came before.
and the things that run in fear from you and me.

Overall Meaning

In Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's song, "There Will Be Spring," the artist speaks of the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of new beginnings even in the midst of chaos and destruction. He states that there will always be spring, even at the very end, implying that life will continue on even after the current struggles have passed. He also references sleeping to the "sound of burning winter," suggesting that even destruction can be a comfort as it clears the way for new growth.

The artist then describes a place built for himself and his friends, a haven that will carry them through their individual journeys. He reflects on the loss of his father's house and the crumbling of his hometown, symbolizing the passing of time and the impermanence of physical structures. However, he recognizes that he has grown despite the obstacles, suggesting inner strength and resilience.

The final stanza speaks to the power of naming things after what we are and who came before us, as well as acknowledging the things that frighten us. This suggests a deep connection to one's roots and the importance of understanding and embracing our past in order to move forward. Overall, the song is a poignant reminder that even in the midst of destruction and change, life will continue on and there is always the hope of new beginnings.

Line by Line Meaning

There will be spring to the very end,
The arrival of spring is certain and inevitable till the end.

I'll sleep to the sound of burning winter.
I will enjoy my peaceful sleep while the winter season ends.

Place for me built, and for my friends.
A shelter has been constructed for me and my companions.

by which will pass each on his venture.
All of us will pass through the shelter while pursuing our goals.

My father's house is gone
The house of my father no longer exists.

and all the houses in his town have crumbled.
Every house that stood in his town has now collapsed.

I am a child, ten inches tall.
Although I am small and young, I am growing up.

and I have grown while they have stumbled.
I have matured and improved while they have struggled or failed.

And what will be ours to do today.
Our task for today is to accomplish the following.

is to name everything we see
We must call out everything that we observe.

after what we are and who came before.
We must assign names based on our identity and the history or tradition behind them.