Poor Butterfly
Love Blossoms and Fades: Tale of a Japanese Butterfly's Longing
Lyrics
There's a story told of a little Japanese
Introduction of a tale involving a Japanese character.
Sitting demurely 'neath the cherry blossom trees
Setting: The Japanese person is under cherry blossom trees, portraying a serene image.
Miss butterfly's her name
Identifies the character as "Miss Butterfly."
A sweet little innocent child was she
Describes Miss Butterfly as a sweet and innocent child.
'Til a fine young American from the sea
Introduces a fine young American who enters her life from the sea.
To her garden came
The American arrives in her garden.
They met beneath the cherry blossoms every day
Describes daily meetings beneath cherry blossoms between Miss Butterfly and the American.
And he taught her how to love the American way
He teaches her the "American way" of love.
To love with a soul 'twas easy to learn
Learning to love deeply and sincerely is portrayed as easy.
Then he sailed away with a promise to return
The American departs, leaving a promise to return.
Poor butterfly 'neath the blossoms waiting
Describes Miss Butterfly waiting beneath blossoms.
Poor butterfly, for she loved him so
Expresses her love and sadness, indicating that she loved him deeply.
The moments pass into hours
Highlights the passage of time, from moments to hours.
The hours pass into years
Time continues to pass, extending to years.
And as she smiles through her tears
Despite the passing time, she smiles through tears, suggesting enduring hope.
She murmurs low
Miss Butterfly speaks quietly, expressing her feelings.
The moon and I
She shares a connection with the moon, possibly symbolizing a celestial bond.
Know that he'll be faithful
Expresses confidence in the American's faithfulness and anticipates his return.
I'm sure he'll come to me by and by
Believes he will come back to her eventually.
But if he won't come back
If he doesn't return, she resolves not to sigh or cry.
Then I'll never sigh or cry
If he doesn't return, she contemplates death as an outcome.
I just must die
Reiterates the emotional state of Miss Butterfly, emphasizing her suffering.
Poor butterfly
Conclusion, restating the lamentation of Miss Butterfly's unfortunate fate.
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