Song Lyrics

Willy

by Joni Mitchell

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Willy is my child he is my father
I would be his lady all my life
He says he'd love to live with me
But for an ancient injury
That has not healed
He said I feel once again
Like I gave my heart too soon
He stood looking thru the lace
At the face on the conquered moon
And counting all the cars up the hill
And the stars on my window sill
There are still more reasons why I love him

Willy is my joy he is my sorrow
Now he wants to run away and hide
He says our love cannot be real
He cannot hear the chapel's pealing silver bells
But you know it's hard to tell
When you're in the spell if it's wrong or if it's real
But you're bound to lose
If you let the blues get you scared to feel
And I feel like I'm just being born
Like a shiny light breaking in a storm
There are so many reasons why I love him

© October 22, 1969; Siquomb Publishing Corp (as "Willie")

Transcriptions of Willy

Willy has been recorded by 8 other artists

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WoodstockChild69 on

This and "Woodstock" were two of Joni's songs that led me back to Graham Nash. I later found out that "Willy" was Graham's nickname from his middle name, William. I know this song is very poignant and it led to Graham and Joni breaking up, but I know they are still good friends to this day. And years later in 2016, I met "Willy" for the first time when I saw my first solo concert of his, and I feel very blessed to say that Graham and I have formed a friendship now too! So in a way, Joni helped bring us together with her music. Thanks Joni!

MargaretLee on


"Car on a Hill" (1970) conjures up the reference to "the 'car on the hill' in "Willy" (1974) I've never noticed any two images in Joni's lyrics as similar. Anyone else?