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.

Willow Trees Bend
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Willow trees bend
but I won't bend
I will never lay down
for every man alive
there's a fire
and for every king a crown

my world's been rocked before

and it will be rocked again
by a tremor or a howling wind
and lord if you demand
if the world at large asks of me
I will surrender to you

we have a power
all animals do
when faced with your fire
I will surrender to you

fun to joy the aim
so we live forever
they may mock us but we do
the river carries on
clouded with what we've done
the deeds of me and you

we have a power
all animals do

when faced with your fire
I will surrender to you

Overall Meaning

The song "Willow Trees Bend" by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy is a powerful and emotional track that speaks to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. The opening lines of the song, "Willow trees bend but I won't bend, I will never lay down," set the tone for the rest of the piece, emphasizing the singer's refusal to give in to the pressures and difficulties of life.

The song speaks to the fact that there are always obstacles and challenges in life, both external and internal, and that it is important to stay strong and true to oneself in the face of these challenges. The reference to fire and kings suggests that these challenges may come in the form of power struggles or competition, but that the singer is determined to hold his ground and not give up.

The final verse of the song speaks to the importance of surrender, but not in a negative or defeatist way. Rather, it suggests that there is power to be found in surrendering to the forces of life and nature, and that by doing so, we can tap into a greater sense of purpose and meaning.

Overall, "Willow Trees Bend" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that speaks to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, and the importance of holding on to our values and convictions in the face of life's challenges.

Line by Line Meaning

Willow trees bend
Although flexible, even nature can submit to external forces.

but I won't bend
I refuse to change or give in easily.

I will never lay down
I will always stand up for myself or for what I believe in.

for every man alive
For every human being on this planet.

there's a fire
There's a passion, motivation or drive within us that keeps us going.

and for every king a crown
And for every leader or powerful figure, there's a symbol or representation of their status or authority.

my world's been rocked before
I've experienced hardships, challenges or changes in my life.

and it will be rocked again
And I anticipate the possibility of encountering more difficulties or unpredictability in the future.

by a tremor or a howling wind
These are possible metaphors for uncontrollable or powerful external forces that disrupt or alter our lives.

and lord if you demand
And if a higher power or authority requires it.

if the world at large asks of me
If society or the community expects something from me.

I will surrender to you
I am willing to put myself in a vulnerable or submissive position for the sake of fulfilling a duty or obligation.

we have a power
As living beings or creatures, we possess a certain level of influence or control in our environment.

all animals do
This is a trait or ability that extends to all forms of life, not just humans.

when faced with your fire
When confronted with a challenge or obstacle that threatens to destroy us.

I will surrender to you
I will submit or give in to the force or pressure that is beyond my capabilities to overcome.

fun to joy the aim
The purpose or goal of our existence is to experience happiness or pleasure.

so we live forever
Thus, we strive to create a legacy or something that will outlast us and give us a sense of immortality.

they may mock us but we do
Other people may ridicule or criticize us for our choices or actions, but we continue to live according to what brings us joy.

the river carries on
Life goes on, with or without us.

clouded with what we've done
The history or legacy of our actions and decisions affects the flow of life as it moves forward.

the deeds of me and you
Our individual contributions or impact on the world may seem insignificant, but they contribute to the bigger picture of life.

Contributed by Joseph D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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