Poor Butterfly
Love's Blossom: A Tale of Heartache and Waiting
Lyrics
There's a story told of a little Japanese
Introducing a tale about a Japanese person
Sitting demurely 'neath the cherry blossom trees
Describing the person sitting under cherry blossom trees
Miss Butterfly's her name
Identifying the person as Miss Butterfly
A sweet little innocent child was she
Portraying Miss Butterfly as an innocent child
'Till a fine young American from the sea
Introduction of a young American visitor from the sea
To her garden came
Describing the American's arrival in her garden
They met 'neath the cherry blossoms everyday
Depicting frequent meetings under cherry blossoms
And he taught her how to love the American way
Explaining the American teaching Miss Butterfly love in the American way
To love with her soul t'was easy to learn
Expressing that learning to love with her soul was easy
Then he sailed away with a promise to return
Detailing the American's departure with a promise to return
Poor butterfly
Introducing the theme of the song, addressing Miss Butterfly
'Neath the blossoms waiting
Describing Miss Butterfly waiting beneath the blossoms
Poor Butterfly
Repeating the title and emphasizing her deep love
For she loved him so
Expressing the intensity of Miss Butterfly's love
The moments pass into hours
Noting the passage of time from moments to hours
The hours pass into years
Highlighting the prolonged separation into years
And as she smiles through her tears
Describing Miss Butterfly's emotional state with a smile through tears
She murmurs low
Miss Butterfly softly expressing her feelings
The moon and I know that he'll be faithful
Referring to the moon and expressing confidence in the American's faithfulness
I'm sure he'll come to me by and by
Anticipating the American's eventual return
But if he won't come back, then I'll never sigh or cry
Contemplating the possibility of not returning and the consequence of death
I just must die
Emphasizing the extreme emotional impact on Miss Butterfly
Poor butterfly
Repeating the title and concluding the story with Miss Butterfly's fate
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