Viva Ultra
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics
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Always been around this place
And when I call her
It's not long before she comes to where I'm calling from
Do I hate her?
Do I know her just to hate what she does?
Are you jealous? of the show we put on
Is there justice?
Is there something which resembles pleasure?
And are you mammals?
Do you eat and drink the same as we do?
Oh!, it's OK, not to say
Is there time still? Time to forrage for a decent dinner here
Where we've settled
Where we've come to call the new century in
And when I wake up
I do not ask her
If she know just where we lay ourselves
It's better that way, and so it's this way
That we start our day to day
Oh!, it's OK, not say
The lyrics of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's song Viva Ultra are quite introspective and contemplative in nature. The singer seems to be talking about a person who is very important to him, a person who is his lifeblood and secret share. This person has always been around him and whenever he calls her, she comes to him immediately. The singer is wondering if he hates this person, or whether he knows her just to hate what she does. It's a complex feeling that he is grappling with.
The singer then turns his attention to the listener, asking if they are jealous of the show that he and the person he is talking about put on. He wonders if they are wary, if there is justice or something which resembles pleasure, and whether they, too, are mammals who eat and drink the same as we do. It's almost as if he is questioning whether the listener really understands what it means to be alive.
The final part of the song is more practical in nature. The singer is wondering if there is still time to forage for a decent dinner here, in the place where they have settled and called the new century in. He doesn't ask the person next to him where they are, and it's better that way. The song ends with the refrain that it's OK not to say anything.
Line by Line Meaning
She's my lifeblood, she's my secret share
She is the most important thing in my life, and I confide in her with my deepest secrets.
Always been around this place
She has been a constant presence in my life and in this location.
And when I call her
When I reach out to her.
It's not long before she comes to where I'm calling from
She always comes to be with me quickly after I reach out to her.
Do I hate her?
Do I despise her?
Do I know her just to hate what she does?
Do I only know her to hate her actions?
Are you jealous? of the show we put on
Are you envious of the performance we display together?
Are you wary?
Are you cautious or suspicious?
Is there justice?
Is there fairness or righteousness?
Is there something which resembles pleasure?
Is there anything that even slightly resembles enjoyment?
And are you mammals?
And are you creatures with a backbone, warm-blooded, and nurse your young?
Do you eat and drink the same as we do?
Do you consume food and drink in the same way as we do?
Oh!, it's OK, not to say
Oh, it's alright not to say anything.
Is there time still? Time to forrage for a decent dinner here
Is there enough time left to search for a good meal in this area?
Where we've settled
Where we have made our home.
Where we've come to call the new century in
Where we have been present to welcome the new century.
And when I wake up
And after I wake up from sleep.
I do not ask her
I do not inquire of her.
If she know just where we lay ourselves
If she is aware of the exact spot where we slept.
It's better that way, and so it's this way
It is better to not ask and remain in this manner.
That we start our day to day
So that we can begin our daily routine.
Oh!, it's OK, not say
Oh, it's alright not to say anything.
Contributed by Annabelle P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.