Bonnie Prince Billy on the banks of the Ohio
Depending on who's telling the story, Will Oldham has styled himself "Bonnie Prince Billy" in honour of Bonnie Prince Charlie, the famous 18th century Jacobite; Billy the Kid, the 19th century Wild West outlaw William Bonney; or the American singer Nat King Cole. Perhaps it was the Scottish angle that led him to take the traditional "Loch Tay Boat Song" and transfer it to the banks of the Ohio. Regardless, it's a brilliant reassignment. Contrast the top verse of the original and the lower one which is Bonnie Prince Billy's reworking. Give that man a dram!
has more beauty I declare
Than all the tresses fair
from Killin to Aberfeldy.
Be they lint-white, gold, or brown,
be they blacker than the sloe,
as a melting flake of snow. (Trad.)
Catarina your lovely hair,
has more beauty I declare
Than all the tresses there
from Smoketown to Oldham County.
Be they black, red, gold or brown,
let them hang to lenghts below.
They mean not as much to me,
as a melting flake of snow. (Bonnie Prince Billy)
