"Indiscriminate Act of Kindness", one of Foy’s most popular tracks "live" was featured in the a TV commercial for Great Ormond Street Hospital which was aired in the UK up until Christmas of 2006. Foy often uses alternative tunings for his guitar, for example the song 'Indiscriminate Act of Kindness' he uses the tuning CGDGCe.
Foy has previously released two limited edition EPs on Wurdamouth records; "Live Sessions and the birth of the Toilet tour" and "Watermelon Oranges". His regular piano player is London based composer Jules Maxwell.
Paper Prince
Foy Vance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though the sun still shines
With no point, no language, no friends
There's just the passing of time
My plans are far too big
The city way too small
No one here I know by name
A paper prince in a play-doh tower
On the outskirts of town
Everybody is looking up
But I have to look down
Old men in old cafés
By the water's edge
Playing chess almost every day
Winning bets that were pledged
A paper prince in a play-doh tower
On the outskirts of town
Everybody is looking up
But I have to look down
A paper princess in a far off land
Turning love into gold
By the sink now, she washes her hands
Of the dreams that she sold
The lyrics of Foy Vance's "Paper Prince" depict a sense of isolation and detachment. The singer seems to be lost and alone, despite being surrounded by people and a bustling city. He comments on the passing of time and the lack of purpose that he currently embodies. The singer mentions that his plans are too big for the small city, and there is no one he knows well enough to call. The play-doh tower he references becomes a symbol for his unstable and fragile position, an imagined castle built loosely and impractically.
The second verse of the song speaks to the passage of time and the glimpse of life through different aged perspectives, specifically old men at a café by the water's edge. The singer observes the old men daily and realizes the solemnity of their game of chess as they wager on their wins. In the last verse, the singer references a paper princess in a far-off land who turns love into gold, but ultimately washes her hands of the dreams that she once stood for.
The song's imagery and lyrics evoke loneliness and the struggle of finding oneself amongst a community. It also alludes to the idea of hopefulness through the game of chess and the dream-gold reference. Foy Vance does a great job spreading a message of hope in times of struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on my own again
I am alone once again
Though the sun still shines
Despite the sun still shining
With no point, no language, no friends
I have no objective, no way to communicate, and no companions
There's just the passing of time
All that remains is the flow of time
My plans are far too big
My ambitions are excessively grand
The city way too small
The town is too tiny
No one here I know by name
I don't know anyone here personally
That would come should I call
Who would answer if I asked for help?
A paper prince in a play-doh tower
I am a fictional and powerless ruler in a flimsy fortress
On the outskirts of town
I am located outside the city
Everybody is looking up
Everyone is aspiring and hopeful
But I have to look down
However, I can only keep my gaze lowly
Old men in old cafés
Elderly gentlemen gathered in ancient cafes
By the water's edge
Next to the point where the water meets the land
Playing chess almost every day
Engaged in playing chess almost daily
Winning bets that were pledged
Successfully obtaining wagers that were made
A paper princess in a far off land
She is a pseudo queen in a distant place
Turning love into gold
She converts affection to riches
By the sink now, she washes her hands
Now, she's at the sink, washing her hands
Of the dreams that she sold
Rejecting the fantasies that she sold
Writer(s): Foy Vance Copyright: Foy Vance Songs, Primary Wave Vance Music
Contributed by Lila P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sam Causey
Awesome song, perfect for the final scene Sons of Anarchy S7E3
Batallas Escolapios
loving this
Tracey R
Sons of Anarchy brought me here. LOVE this song.
TheMainEventRocks
Great tune
pippy .b
Gorgeous!
Kevin W
the song was the best part of Sons of Anarchy last night
bud lee
Wow
Big Buddah
Once again a great song from Sons of Anarchy!
Just Joe
SOA brought me here!!
773fahad
SOA omg!!!