Lyrics
I shot Billy but Billy won't die
The narrator shot Billy, but Billy did not die.
I sank him in the lake, deep
The narrator sank Billy in a deep lake.
Still he's screaming up at me
Billy, despite being submerged, is still vocal and screaming at the narrator.
We got married in a fever
The narrator and Billy got married impulsively and passionately.
Young and so eager
They were young and enthusiastic at the time of their marriage.
In a hall all full of friends
The wedding took place in a hall filled with friends.
And late that night out in some back seat
Later that night, in a secluded space (back seat), something changed in their relationship.
He knuckled up to me
Billy became confrontational or aggressive towards the narrator.
My fever turned to ice and wind
The narrator's initial passion turned cold and harsh.
An hour out in the sunlight
An unspecified event or duration spent in the sunlight, possibly representing a brighter time.
Twenty-three in the dark
Twenty-three, possibly an age or a significant period, spent in the dark, suggesting a difficult time.
I shot Billy but Billy won't die
Repetition of the earlier statement: the narrator shot Billy, but he won't die.
I sank him in the lake, deep
Reiteration of sinking Billy in a deep lake.
Still he's screaming up at me
Reiteration of Billy screaming despite being submerged.
Bought a house out on the river
The narrator bought a house by the river.
And I burned it to cinders
The house was destroyed by fire.
Dumped some danger down the well
The narrator added danger or mischief to a well.
Jesus washed the feet of liars
Reference to a biblical story where Jesus washed the feet of liars.
Well, I set 'em on fire
The narrator, in contrast, sets liars on fire and condemns them to hell.
And send 'em screaming down to hell
The narrator takes revenge on those who deceive.
An hour out in the sunlight
Similar to line 12, an hour spent in sunlight, suggesting cycles of positive moments.
Twenty-three in the dark
Similar to line 13, twenty-three spent in the dark, indicating ongoing challenges.
I shot Billy but Billy won't die
Repetition of the narrator shooting Billy without success in causing his death.
I sank him in the lake, deep
Reiteration of sinking Billy in a deep lake.
Still he's screaming up at me
Reiteration of Billy's persistent screams despite being submerged.
Comment