The Prince & Old Lady Shade
Peter Murphy Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

The prince was a bird
Not guilty or the like
A true friend sip and soft
No suffering cry

All names and some cranks
He'd powdered all off
Their sycophantic gifts
Were never enough

Old lady shade turns
A Vespertilian thing
A motion event
A friend of the jinn

The prince and old lady shade
The prince and old lady shade

She has a fair eye
She takes her fair share
Of the city's mid day
That lunch lady's glare

The prince and old lady shade
The prince and old lady shade

General Woo very nearly smiled
Saw the light in the little child

The prince and old lady shade
The prince and old lady shade




Oh
Oh

Overall Meaning

The Prince & Old Lady Shade by Peter Murphy chronicles the story of two unlikely friends, the prince who is described as "a bird" and Old Lady Shade who turns out to be a "Vespertilian thing", a friend of the jinn. The prince is presented in a positive light, as a true friend, soft, and someone who avoids causing others to suffer. He is also described as not guilty, all names and some cranks, paving the idea that he has transcended the trappings of society. He is not corrupted by power, social class, or greed, unlike his peers who offer him sycophantic gifts that are never enough.


Old Lady Shade, on the other hand, is considered a creature of the night, a Vespertilian thing, but is an ally to the jinn. She takes her fair share of the city's mid-day, a reference to how vampires and other nocturnal creatures sleep during the day. The lyrics also mention the lunch lady's glare, which could be interpreted as an allusion to the gaze of society, always on the lookout for those who don't fit in.


The song's message is about the unusual friendships that can occur amidst society's conventions. The lyrics suggest that diverse characters can find common ground in the unexpected. The Prince and Old Lady Shade are two examples of such conformity. It also portrays the notion that sometimes, to find true friendship, one must look past the confines of social class and power.


Line by Line Meaning

The prince was a bird
The prince symbolizes lightness and freedom of spirit, unburdened by the weight of responsibility and guilt.


Not guilty or the like
The prince's carefree nature is untainted by any negative emotions such as guilt, fear, or regret.


A true friend sip and soft
The prince is a gentle and loyal friend who is always there to offer a comforting, supportive presence.


No suffering cry
The prince is not one to complain or express pain, but instead endures hardship with quiet strength and dignity.


All names and some cranks
The prince has encountered a variety of people, some of whom are eccentric or unpredictable, but he takes them all in stride.


He'd powdered all off
The prince has a way of smoothing over conflicts or negativity, diffusing situations with his peaceful presence.


Their sycophantic gifts
The prince has had many admirers who offer him flattery and gifts, but he sees through their insincere motives.


Were never enough
Despite the attention and gifts he receives, the prince is not materialistic and does not seek external validation for his worth.


Old lady shade turns
The song shifts its focus to a new character, the enigmatic and mysterious old lady shade.


A Vespertilian thing
The old lady shade has bat-like qualities, suggesting perhaps nocturnal habits, unusual powers, or a sense of otherness.


A motion event
The old lady shade seems to move in an unusual or striking way, attracting attention and creating a sense of mystical energy.


A friend of the jinn
The old lady shade is connected to the spirits or supernatural beings known as jinn, hinting at her hidden knowledge or powers.


She has a fair eye
The old lady shade's gaze is piercing, perhaps conveying wisdom or insight that others cannot see.


She takes her fair share
The old lady shade is not greedy but takes only what she needs or deserves, balancing her own desires with the needs of the community.


Of the city's mid day
The old lady shade is present and active during the hustle and bustle of the day, playing her part in the social fabric of the city.


That lunch lady's glare
The old lady shade may face scrutiny or suspicion from others, perhaps due to her unconventional appearance or behavior.


General Woo very nearly smiled
This line suggests a moment of levity or humor, as General Woo (a previously unnamed character) almost cracks a smile at something surprising or amusing.


Saw the light in the little child
General Woo recognizes the spark of potential or innocence in a young person, reminding us that even troubled times hold hope and promise for future generations.


Oh
This exclamation may serve to punctuate the song with a sense of emotional release, or as an exhortation to the listener to pay attention to the meaning of the lyrics.




Contributed by Adrian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

MNML ϟTELLΔR

+ Lyrics +
The prince was a bird
Not guilty or the like
A true friend sip and soft
No suffering cry

All names and some cranks
He'd powdered all off
Their sycophantic gifts were never enough

Old lady shade turns a vespertilian thing
A motion event
A friend of the jinn! 

The prince and old lady shade

She has a fair eye
She takes her fair share of the city's mid day
That lunch lady's glare

The prince and old lady shade

General woo very nearly smiled
Saw the light in the little child

The prince and old lady shade



All comments from YouTube:

diego sanchez

Gran canción ...maravillosa la voz de Peter ❤ 🌹🌹🌹🌹

eon shell

Pete's voice is the instrument most bands dont have

MR.JOHN PERRY

Sounds like bowie too much just close your eyes and its david murphy

Sarah Navarro Duncan

@MR.JOHN PERRY 🙄

John S

​@MR.JOHN PERRY Time for an audiological examination.

Daniel Green

Peter Murphy has a voice which shocks the Soul and reaches parts that others just have no concept of! A brilliant performer and showman been a fan of his musical performances all my life

Belznis

could not have said better, his voice touches the soul and moves you, in fact sometimes you travel with his songs.

Victoria

his voice makes you float away. forget about the shit your going through and you get lost in his voice. we love you peter!! <3

Inspector Count Mortis Winship Blunderfield Klaw

Yet sings and glorifies what imprisons and murders us

Scott Romans

Loved this guy since Bauhous ..his voice and lyrical expression gives me goosebumps....

More Comments

More Versions