“I See a Darkness” was het eerste album dat Will Oldham uitbracht onder de naam Bonnie “Prince” Billy. Vergeleken bij Oldham is Leonard Cohen een naïeve optimist, en dit album over eenzaamheid, de dood en de naderende duisternis is ongetwijfeld het donkerste wat Oldham ooit geproduceerd heeft. Uiteraard mag de magnifieke cover door Johnny Cash niet ontbreken. De achtergrondzang wordt verzorgd door Oldham zelf. Light some candles, stick it on and prepare to feel very concerned about your own mortality – NME
Well you’re my friend
(It’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 can you see it’s opposition
Comes a-rising up sometimes
That it’s dreadful and position
Comes blacking in my mind
And that I see a darkness
And that I see a darkness
And that I see a darkness
And that 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
That 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
