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.

the way
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Winter comes and snow
I can't marry you, you know
Without children to grow
I can't marry you, you know

Love me the way I love you
Love me the way I love you

Take a year in your hand
You can find another man
Let your unloved parts get loved
And I will be your man

Love me the way I love you
Love me the way I love you

Places you should be afraid
Into the river we will wade

Love me the way I love you
Love me the way I love you

Overall Meaning

The song "The Way" by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy is a melancholic yet romantic song about love and the barriers that can prevent a relationship from moving forward. The lyrics open with the metaphorical language of winter and snow, creating a sense of coldness and isolation. The first stanza reveals the singer's hesitation to commit to the relationship, explaining that he cannot marry the person he loves without children to raise. This suggests a feeling of incompleteness and an inability to move forward without a certain future.

However, the chorus provides a glimmer of hope, as the singer asks his lover to love him the way he loves her. He is making a plea for reciprocity, for a mutual commitment and understanding of each other's needs. The second verse then takes an unexpected turn, as the singer suggests that his lover take a year to find another man who can provide her with what she needs. He then optimistically promises to be there for her when she returns, ready to love her unloved parts.

The final stanza returns to the metaphorical language, as the singer suggests they face their fears and uncertainties by wading into the river together. The song ultimately explores the complexity and challenges of love, and the importance of mutual understanding and support in a relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Winter comes and snow
The bitter winter has come with its icy grip and the snow that blankets everything in sight.

I can't marry you, you know
We cannot get married, for we do not have any children to love and nurture.

Without children to grow
We cannot complete our family, as there are no children to raise and care for.

Love me the way I love you
Love me unconditionally, just as I have loved you with all my heart.

Take a year in your hand
Take the time you need to search for another man to love and to cherish.

You can find another man
It is possible to find another man who can give you what I cannot.

Let your unloved parts get loved
Allow yourself to be loved and cherished; do not focus on the parts of yourself that feel unlovable.

And I will be your man
If you choose to come back to me, I will be here for you as your partner and lover.

Places you should be afraid
There are places in this world that should cause fear and trepidation in us.

Into the river we will wade
Together, we will face the dangers that life may present, and we will overcome them by standing strong and united.

Love me the way I love you
Even in the face of adversity and uncertainty, let us commit to loving each other with the same fierceness and intensity as always.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steve Morales, Enrique Iglesias, David Siegel, Kara Dioguardi

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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