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.

Three Questions
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

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Say I found a piece of rock
And put it in my pocket
And for the day that we are wed
I put it in a locket
Which is to hang around your neck
As long as you see fit
Well, tell me, oh my love
Do you think that you would wear it?

And on the day that threatens
That the earth might open up
The birds have stopped their singing
And the insects have shut up
And all that's left between us
Is some al-homdillillilie
Oh, would you split it with me, baby
So that I wouldn't die?

And after all these things
Is a question I must ask
When everyone has called me out
And said I am the worst
And asked for voices on my side
My love, would you sing first?
Would you say, "He's okay,
"He's better than the rest

"He's innocent in God's eyes
"And in mine, he is the best"?

Overall Meaning

The song "Three Questions" by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy is a meditative and soulful piece that poses three poignant questions to the artist's love. Each question is followed by a scenario that requires the love's response. The first question starts with the artist asking if his love will wear a stone that he found and put it in a locket; the locket will be worn around the love's neck when they are married. This scenario presents a symbol of love, commitment, and unity. The artist poses the second question in an apocalyptic setting where the earth is closing up, the birds and insects have stopped singing, and they are left with nothing; at this point, the artist asks if the love would split something that they have to avoid dying together. The last question is whether the love would stand by the artist when everyone else has turned against him and declared him the worst. The artist asks if the love would sing on his behalf and pronounce him innocent in God's eyes.

The song's lyrics are introspective and deep, expressing the artist's fears and vulnerabilities that are prevalent in most romantic relationships. The three questions asked in the song bear a significant weight in the context of the relationship between the artist and the love represented in the song. Accordingly, the song presents three scenarios that require the love's response, suggesting that a loving and trustworthy relationship is based on mutual understanding, sacrifice, and above all, trust.

Line by Line Meaning

Say I found a piece of rock
Imagine I discovered a small rock

And put it in my pocket
And placed it in my pocket for safekeeping

And for the day that we are wed
I intend to keep it until our wedding day

I put it in a locket
I will place the rock in a locket

Which is to hang around your neck
So that you can wear it around your neck

As long as you see fit
For however long you desire to keep it

Well, tell me, oh my love
So, my dear, I must ask you

Do you think that you would wear it?
Would you be willing to wear it?

And on the day that threatens
If a day comes where danger looms

That the earth might open up
Where the ground could split apart

The birds have stopped their singing
The birds cease their melodies