Billy
Hillsburn Lyrics
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I sank him in the lake, deep
Still he's screaming up at me
We got married in a fever
Young and so eager
In a hall all full of friends
And late that night out in some back seat
My fever turned to ice and wind
An hour out in the sunlight
Twenty-three in the dark
I shot Billy but Billy won't die
I sank him in the lake, deep
Still he's screaming up at me
Bought a house out on the river
And I burned it to cinders
Dumped some danger down the well
Jesus washed the feet of liars
Well, I set 'em on fire
And send 'em screaming down to hell
An hour out in the sunlight
Twenty-three in the dark
I shot Billy but Billy won't die
I sank him in the lake, deep
Still he's screaming up at me
The lyrics to Hillsburn's song "Billy" describe a disturbing series of events involving the singer's husband, Billy. The first line, "I shot Billy but Billy won't die," sets the tone for the rest of the song. Even though the singer has attempted to kill Billy by sinking him in a lake, he still haunts and torments her. The lyrics suggest that the singer is experiencing extreme guilt and is unable to move on from the events that led to Billy's death.
The second verse provides some background information on the couple's relationship. They got married when they were young and in love, but it seems that their relationship quickly turned abusive. The singer describes a moment where Billy "knuckled up" to her, which implies that he physically attacked her. This event seems to have marked a turning point in their relationship, as the singer's "fever turned to ice and wind." From this point on, it is clear that the couple's relationship was irreparably damaged.
The remaining lyrics detail the singer's increasingly violent and destructive behavior. She burns down their house and poisons their well, seeking to destroy any trace of their life together. The final line, "Jesus washed the feet of liars, well, I set 'em on fire," is particularly chilling. It suggests that the singer has become so consumed with rage and bitterness that she has lost sight of the very things she once held dear.
Overall, the lyrics to "Billy" paint a bleak and unsettling picture of a relationship gone terribly wrong. The singer's actions are extreme, but they underscore the profound trauma that can result from domestic abuse.
Line by Line Meaning
I shot Billy but Billy won't die
I attempted to kill Billy, but he did not perish
I sank him in the lake, deep
I disposed of Billy in a body of water at a significant depth
Still he's screaming up at me
Despite my attempt to silence him, Billy's presence and voice continues to haunt me
We got married in a fever
My marriage to Billy was impulsive and rash
Young and so eager
We were both enthusiastic and eager to embark on our union
In a hall all full of friends
Our wedding ceremony was attended by numerous friends and family members
And late that night out in some back seat
Later on our wedding night, we engaged in sexual activity in the back seat of a vehicle
He knuckled up to me
Billy made a physical gesture towards me, perhaps in a violent or aggressive manner
My fever turned to ice and wind
My feelings of passion and warmth towards Billy immediately dissipated and were replaced with a cold, harsh reality
An hour out in the sunlight
Perhaps in contrast to the darkness and secrecy of the previous lines, this line suggests a more open and honest environment
Twenty-three in the dark
The darkness returns, with the number 'twenty-three' potentially alluding to a specific time or date
Bought a house out on the river
Billy and I purchased a home located near a body of water
And I burned it to cinders
I destroyed the house completely, reducing it to ashes
Dumped some danger down the well
I introduced a potentially harmful substance or element into the well on the property
Jesus washed the feet of liars
This line references an act of forgiveness from the Bible, but in this context suggests a hypocritical or insincere gesture
Well, I set 'em on fire
In contrast to Jesus' act of grace, I respond to dishonesty with violence and destruction
And send 'em screaming down to hell
I punish those who cross me in a violent and sadistic manner
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: Paul Andrew Aarntzen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind