A Bonnie Prince to sing you home through the darkness
The first time I heard this song, it came on in the background as I was working on a writing project. Something about it stopped me in my tracks and made me set aside my work and pay much closer attention to it.
The tune has a sweet, haunting quality, enhanced by Bonnie Prince Billy’s gentle delivery. It’ll get in your head pretty quickly. But on the second and third hearing, it’s the intelligence, humanity and brutal honesty of Will Oldham’s lyric that sets it apart from most of what pop music has to offer:
“Well, you’re my friend, (that’s what you told me)
And can you see (what’s inside of me)
Many times we’ve been out drinking
And many times we’ve shared our thoughts
But did you ever, ever notice, the kind of thoughts I got
Well you know I have a love, a love for everyone I know
And you know I have a drive to live I won’t let go
But could you see its opposition comes arising up sometimes
That its dreadful antiposition comes blacking in my mind
And then I see a darkness
And then I see a darkness
And then I see a darkness
And then I see a darkness
And did you know how much I love you
Is a hope that somehow you, you
Can save me from this darkness
Well I hope that someday buddy
We have peace in our lives
Together or apart
Alone or with our wives
And we can stop our whoring
And pull the smiles inside
And light it up forever
And never go to sleep
My best unbeaten brother
This isn’t all I see
Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
And did you know how much I love you
Is a hope that somehow you, you
Can save me from this darkness.”
Oldham/Bonnie Prince Billy was once described as an “Appalachian post-punk solipsist,” which I guess is some fancy-dan way of saying the man is a damn fine songwriter.
– Jay Bookman
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295 comments Add your comment
Mr. Snarky
February 1st, 2013
4:09 pm
Jay your html is showing. Linkee now workee.
Jay
February 1st, 2013
4:11 pm
Thanks for the heads up, Mr. Snarky. Should be OK now.
Thomas Heyward Jr
February 1st, 2013
4:13 pm
Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
.
It’s never too late to put the darkness of the violent state behind thee………Bookman.
.
Choose the light
Choose Liberty.
Join the Ron Paul Army.
.
We get knocked down,but we get up again.
We get knocked down ,but we get up again.
You’re never gonna keep us down.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LODkVkpaVQA
josef
February 1st, 2013
4:15 pm
JAY
Interesting, it is…thanks for posting the lyrics along with it…
josef
February 1st, 2013
4:20 pm
THOMAS
Meanwhile, of course, pissing the night away! Great song, BTW…
skipper
February 1st, 2013
4:20 pm
Cool song….he definitely is swinging from a cable, as it is for certain he has “smoked up” all the rope…..lol
Jay
February 1st, 2013
4:25 pm
Skipper:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KbKH4A7VFY
Jay
February 1st, 2013
4:26 pm
BTW, anybody seen Jamvet around?
TBS
February 1st, 2013
4:28 pm
Jay
Read a post over at Kyle’s last weekend where he mentioned taking a break from both blogs. Said he might come around sometime for FNM.
Logical Dude
February 1st, 2013
4:28 pm
one of these days, I might be able to play this while at work
or getting off on Fridays early!
Mr. Snarky
February 1st, 2013
4:30 pm
Nice tune. Somebody should get him a mustache trimmer.
Jay
February 1st, 2013
4:30 pm
Thanks TBS.
Doing that has crossed my mind a time or two as well … :>)
josef
February 1st, 2013
4:30 pm
Trying to follow up on that one is a bit depressing, but then, this one came to mind. And even though it’s associated with Santana, she recorded it first…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfSrtd-MrZQ
Soothsayer
February 1st, 2013
4:31 pm
Tough week? I think you’ll like this one.
josef
February 1st, 2013
4:34 pm
JAY
Just remember, that fishing trip is coming…
TBS
February 1st, 2013
4:36 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u6cwYgX_4Q
Jay
February 1st, 2013
4:38 pm
No worries, Josef. That song selection in no way reflects my mood. I just know some people who have dealt with depression, most of them successfully.
A couple not.
I thought that song reflected a lot of what they were willing to communicate.
josef
February 1st, 2013
4:40 pm
SOOTh
Got that War-ishness to it…and, well, I know it’s f’ing freezing cold, but these days are coming, I promise…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biWA1i4CyvY
Thomas Heyward Jr
February 1st, 2013
4:40 pm
josef
February 1st, 2013
4:20 pm
THOMAS
Meanwhile, of course, pissing the night away! Great song, BTW…
————————————————————————————————–
Thanks Joseph…A great feel-good song.
I don’t understand how somepeople like be governed.
To be governed is to be watched, inspected, spied upon, directed, law-driven, numbered, regulated, enrolled, indoctrinated, preached at, controlled, checked, estimated, valued, censured, commanded, by creatures who have neither the right nor the wisdom nor the virtue to do so. To be governed is to be at every operation, at every transaction noted, registered, counted, taxed, stamped, measured, numbered, assessed, licensed, authorized, admonished, prevented, forbidden, reformed, corrected, punished. It is, under pretext of public utility and in the name of the general interest, to be place under contribution, drilled, fleeced, exploited, monopolized, extorted from, squeezed, hoaxed, robbed; then, at the slightest resistance, the first word of complaint, to be repressed, fined, vilified, harassed, hunted down, abused, clubbed, disarmed, bound, choked, imprisoned, judged, condemned, shot, deported, sacrificed, sold, betrayed; and to crown all, mocked, ridiculed, derided, outraged, dishonored. That is government; that is its justice; that is its morality.
I personally want something else.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC1NR7AL_9s
.
I’m out and……………………..PEACE.
TBS
February 1st, 2013
4:46 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAZ5G3xoxhI
josef
February 1st, 2013
4:49 pm
TBS
I grew up with “that bunch of Bramletts!” Every one of them was a musician…it was (and BTW IS) in their blood…
josef
February 1st, 2013
4:51 pm
JAY
And that’s all I gotta say about that…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB42I5PO5_4
JamVet
February 1st, 2013
4:53 pm
Hi, gang.
To the point of my recent absence, I decided I didn’t like who I was when I was here.
So I’m working on fixing that.
Thanks for understanding, guys. And thanks, especially to you Jay. This FNM thing is pure gold and I do love it.
Another great selection to get us going.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0vKc3jIjDo
TBS
February 1st, 2013
4:54 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLDDxfFKd9Y
Jam: Hope all is well.
TBS
February 1st, 2013
4:57 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6raNj9ArT8
josef
February 1st, 2013
5:01 pm
THOMAS
Love that Third Eye Blind…
ZamVet
What would FNM be without you!
josef
February 1st, 2013
5:04 pm
well, maybe not…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUTXb-ga1fo
JamVet
February 1st, 2013
5:06 pm
Thanks TBS and jonix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIfaRyca8xU
TBS
February 1st, 2013
5:06 pm
Jam: TURN IT UP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k64CrBxCAtI
TBS
February 1st, 2013
5:07 pm
josef
Petty is always a winner. Seen him twice, his band his tight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k64CrBxCAtI
johnnyP
February 1st, 2013
5:08 pm
I first heard the Johnny Cash cover of this tune.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txn1MiqJct4
Quite a contrast. His interpretation suits the song well. If you like Will Oldham’s songwriting, you should check out his first group, Palace Brothers. Especially the album “There Is No-One What Will Take Care of You”
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 1st, 2013
5:14 pm
please if you or someone you know is fighting depression, see someone
like mrsstsimons, all crazy shawnee injun joking aside. It is not
a failure, or taboo, or anything else. If ‘they’ won’t go by themselves,
get them there. They can help. She lost one here this fall, in the
happiest place in Ga. It happens.
I always think of this Caole King song that saved, well, this guy –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BePDQ5iFi88
TBS
February 1st, 2013
5:16 pm
Simple yet such a groovy baseline…………. Takes the song to another lever imo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuRxXRuAz-I
indigo
February 1st, 2013
5:19 pm
Dirty old men need love to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeZKTgvoQbM
josef
February 1st, 2013
5:19 pm
ZamVet
Well, the kinder gentler josef lasted 29 days!
….and L-rd knows why THIS one came to mind…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CWEyKql0WY
Skip
February 1st, 2013
5:21 pm
I gotta learn to dance like that guy.
JamVet
February 1st, 2013
5:21 pm
Shake off your demon baby
And watch that angel go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewJoJYlgj_w
JamVet
February 1st, 2013
5:25 pm
Jonix, 29 days?
Ah hell, I’m screwed!
Its easy to be smart
But it’s a struggle to be wise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pMhk8-lSNM
TBS
February 1st, 2013
5:29 pm
St Simons
back at ya with the J.T.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LFqWIKayIE
Soothsayer
February 1st, 2013
5:31 pm
Here’s the best version I could find of this great J.J. Cale song.
Soothsayer
February 1st, 2013
5:43 pm
Redneck, here’s one for you and your rowdy friends up there at Billy Bob’s. Order up another round!
pogo
February 1st, 2013
5:43 pm
josef, saw Petty at the Fox many years ago as opening act for the Kinks. As I was already a huge fan of both it has to be one of the most memorable of the many concerts I have ever attended. And I think Blondie may have been on the bill as well. Those were “heady” days, to say the least. If a band can reproduce music live onstage that is as good or better than the recorded version, that has always been a sign of whether real talent is involved. And both the Kinks and Petty have proven me to be right.
saywhat?
February 1st, 2013
5:45 pm
my favorite depression song
http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DuLZBhlTXHuo&sa=U&ei=OUUMUeH2EJP88QSXn4HAAQ&ved=0CCoQtwIwAw&usg=AFQjCNHrIjQhTD1_QB3wDi_5p_tM5qcCcw
JamVet
February 1st, 2013
5:46 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qyJg4d8Ioc
pogo
February 1st, 2013
5:48 pm
good one by the good “Reverend”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D2nuzhIfHY
TaxPayer
February 1st, 2013
5:49 pm
If anyone asks, Tell ‘em you been sitting on chimneys. Or something like that.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 1st, 2013
5:52 pm
TBS & Jam, I had those very two up in another window. Whoa man.
Soothsayer
February 1st, 2013
5:54 pm
Jam-man, you know that’s my favorite James Taylor song. Thanks for posting it!
TBS
February 1st, 2013
5:54 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7MoZuP3JBo
JamVet
February 1st, 2013
5:56 pm
pogo, that 5:48 was great! You really do know the good stuff.
St. Simons, great minds and all that!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVOjLVEA3lU
indigo
February 1st, 2013
5:57 pm
This will take your mind off your troubles.
Most of you here probably never heard of him.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=wayne+cochran+and+the+cc+riders+youtube&mid=98AFAF22438E24AF600998AFAF22438E24AF6009&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1
josef
February 1st, 2013
5:57 pm
POGO
Much agreed!
**********************
D*mn, as Unmentionable says, is it wimp night on FNM ?
Well, not to worry, help is on the way….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADlqo-2wYUI
godless heathen - owner of many things he does not need
February 1st, 2013
5:59 pm
Well, well Super Bowl Sunday. I might watch although I’m still po’ed that the Birds won’t be there. I will surely not watch that Bouncy woman at halftime. They should have halftime shows like this again. Good wholesome entertainment. No bleeping and no tee tee flashing. Rated G.
http://youtu.be/Z4mTTigqTSA
pogo
February 1st, 2013
5:59 pm
Depression seems to be the normal state of being today for more and more people. And why not? Many may fool themselves but the reality of the human condition is ever present in the thinking people, no matter the political party. Of course, gladly, there aren’t that many thinking people left nowadays which may be another reason to be depressed. But at least the dullards won’t know what is going on until it slaps them in the face.
saywhat?
February 1st, 2013
6:01 pm
josef- 5:45 is wimp night?
TBS
February 1st, 2013
6:03 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjRcNemtBYo
Soothsayer
February 1st, 2013
6:04 pm
Here’s one I know you’ll like.
TBS
February 1st, 2013
6:05 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywHhWknHVnE
godless heathen - owner of many things he does not need
February 1st, 2013
6:06 pm
indigo Wayne Cochran of Thomaston, GA. Best hair evah! (I know a cousin of his.)
His biggest hit, based on a real incident on US 41 in Barnesville.
http://youtu.be/yKDMRZv4SYc
TaxPayer
February 1st, 2013
6:06 pm
Sometimes you just gotta go with the feelin’.
josef
February 1st, 2013
6:07 pm
saywhat
TBS
February 1st, 2013
6:11 pm
godless
You sport hair like that you must be a BAAAD man…………..
JamVet
February 1st, 2013
6:12 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRO5ZZuJGYI
godless heathen - owner of many things he does not need
February 1st, 2013
6:12 pm
Well if you are depressed, remember Braves pitchers and catchers report in 10 days.
http://youtu.be/yKDMRZv4SYc
Tom Middleton
February 1st, 2013
6:16 pm
Like fertilizer to the plant, depression can be useful if you know what to do with it, like, you know, reach toward the light. It’s all about love, my friend, and learning to see God (the unlimited real you) in everyone.
Meanwhile, there’s always great music to keep us going, and thanks for the song. Sooooo here’s Mr. John Lee Hooker (again). For some reason, I can’t get enough of this great blues man these days, and I’ve been looking for a best reason to play this one for quite awhile now! So thanks again, sir.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlwJRk09I5U&NR=1&feature=endscreen
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 1st, 2013
6:17 pm
Jay, I suggest you check out an old documentary called “Shamrock and Roll”, it has a guy from the band Planxty playing an old song and it also covers the Pogues.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 1st, 2013
6:19 pm
Forever I had wanted to see High Chaparall – a great memory from my childhood — and they were showing it the other day – two episodes back-to-back!
On…ummm…”the Inspiration Network”??
I was thinking, no no no, Manolito spends every episode trying to get into the Hispanic women’s pants” and then I thought “Ahhh, yes, Inspiration!” So, it all makes sense. And the shows were both very good.
And, get this, there is a High Chaparall THEME PARK in Sweden that’s been going since the late 60’s!!
WTF?
So of course I had to see if they had a restaurant and they did. so I had to check the menu, which I did.
Mixed in with the ribs, the steak, the pork loins, and chicken wings they have schnitzel….oh yeah….pack up the family, baby, we are going to Sweden…
F. Sinkwich
February 1st, 2013
6:19 pm
“BTW, anybody seen Jamvet around?”
Yeah, I have.
I saw him cleaning out the Port-A-Potti behind the Pinetree Shopping Center in Doraville.
Looks like they gave him a new truck.
Soothsayer
February 1st, 2013
6:25 pm
Well, I just checked: it’s 35 outside but 78 here on the inside. Lovin’ it!
indigo
February 1st, 2013
6:25 pm
Godless – 6:06
I think this is his best song
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=wayne+cochran+on+jackie+gleason+show+youtube&mid=D431071C069D6E2216C8D431071C069D6E2216C8&view=detail&FORM=VIRE5
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 1st, 2013
6:26 pm
yes josef, like the great shawnee parable says – “the id goes marching
on, but the ego keeps tripping him up”
josef
February 1st, 2013
6:27 pm
TOM
Amen! But some folks had rather be miserable. Go figure.
SINKWICH
We like ZamVet. Especially on Friday night….
You? Well…
TBS
February 1st, 2013
6:31 pm
Sink
Guess you were just “cruising” around, huh?
F. Sinkwich
February 1st, 2013
6:32 pm
“We like ZamVet. Especially on Friday night….
You? Well…”
Not so much. Even during the rest of the week.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
February 1st, 2013
6:32 pm
Well, I just checked: it’s 35 outside but 78 here on the inside. Lovin’ it!
TAKER!!!!!
JamVet
February 1st, 2013
6:32 pm
…Braves pitchers and catchers report in 10 days.
Woo Hoo!
Wayne Cochran?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCXK8yB4T6M
TBS
February 1st, 2013
6:34 pm
Dedicated to Sink and his “cruising” behind shopping center escapades
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD_DyoB4Cjs
Everyone have a great FNM and an even better weekend
peace
F. Sinkwich
February 1st, 2013
6:34 pm
“Guess you were just “cruising” around, huh?”
Apple maps issue, actually. Programmed it for The High Museum. I know the way by heart, but I was distracted by Bach.
Soothsayer
February 1st, 2013
6:36 pm
Just 38 more days until Master’s week begins. Spring will be here before you know it!
josef
February 1st, 2013
6:38 pm
He-ne-ha
Ain’t it the truth!
Soothsayer
February 1st, 2013
6:39 pm
Ooooops! make that 69 days! Sorry ’bout that!
Tom Middleton
February 1st, 2013
6:42 pm
Josef
“Yeah, yeah” -Mr. John Lee Hooker
Self-indulgence, especially with something like depression, is an obstacle to living in the here and now, my friend. And since God is essentially the right here and now without end… Oh “yeah, yeah”!
Earth,Wind & Fire
February 1st, 2013
6:48 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXrgnZvRg-c
josef
February 1st, 2013
7:02 pm
TOM
Yep…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAjFnJuk1Aw
Jm
February 1st, 2013
7:03 pm
I support commie beer
Free
Not really
JamVet
February 1st, 2013
7:09 pm
Love EWF!
And at the other end of the musical spectrum…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M7gKZqgHn4
That Black Guy
February 1st, 2013
7:10 pm
Jam, please don’t take this wrong…
“To the point of my recent absence, I decided I didn’t like who I was when I was here. So I’m working on fixing that.” – JamVet
Please do. I really used to like reading what you had to say. You are a smart guy and funny as heck (as long as it’s not political).
That Black Guy
February 1st, 2013
7:16 pm
Time to UATAO.
Every one have a great weekend.
JamVet
February 1st, 2013
7:18 pm
TBG, thanks for sharing.
You’re a better man than me, but like I said, I’m working on it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnaN0dAIUQs
Tom Middleton
February 1st, 2013
7:30 pm
“When it comes to perception, it’s all in there, of course, but anyplace we’re stuck is the exact wrong place.” -Thomas Jefferson
Tom Middleton
February 1st, 2013
7:32 pm
And where is Kam these days?
Joy and Pain...
February 1st, 2013
8:01 pm
Old Skool….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te4AqJtOhC4
JamVet
February 1st, 2013
8:08 pm
Tom, if he’s in that NC hamlet, he may be freezing his tookus off…
JamVet
February 1st, 2013
8:18 pm
Prog, funk, jazz soul fusion.
Maze was awesome.
This song just ate up the radio in 1973…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1DDgNCLD84
Tom Middleton
February 1st, 2013
8:20 pm
Jam
I just hope he’s OK and hurries back. I can’t do TJ nearly as well as he can.
getalife
February 1st, 2013
8:28 pm
“There are some people in politics and in the press who can’t be confused by the facts,” she said. “They just will not live in an evidence-based world. And that’s regrettable. It’s regrettable for our political system and for the people who serve our government in very dangerous, difficult circumstances.”
At the same time, Clinton said she refused to be “discouraged by the fact that they are never going to accept the facts and the limitations of the facts.” She added that “you have to get up every day and work to do best you can and communicate that to the vast majority of fair-minded Americans whether they’re in Congress, in the press or in the public.”
Good advice.
josef
February 1st, 2013
8:30 pm
ZamVet
Love that Isley Bros…
so, what’s he gotta go to NC for to freeze his tuchus off, he could do that right here tonight…
USA Patriot
February 1st, 2013
8:31 pm
JamVet – Not sure what you’re going through but I hope it works out well for you.
“To the point of my recent absence, I decided I didn’t like who I was when I was here.
So I’m working on fixing that.”
Lessoned to be learned by this person as well.
Thanks!
Recon 0311 2533
February 1st, 2013
8:32 pm
Let us never forget
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/393990/u_s_marines_in_vietnam/
JamVet
February 1st, 2013
8:44 pm
(Listen)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUk1CTLeuLE