Madame Butterfly
Acoustic Junction Lyrics
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Just a few crowns it cost, some might call it free.
I did not know how sad, I did not know how sad.
I did not know how sad it would be.
Sat alone in a private box all draped in red
Though I did not understand a single word they said
The music it surrounded me, it filled my head
Don't cry, madame, madame butterfly,
it's not too late, too late to learn to fly.
Don't cry, madame, madame butterfly,
you're much to young, too young, too young to die.
Then came the letter, he would embark
Her flame did flicker now, her soul did spark
Oh, but just then, her world grew dark
Oh, how her world grew dark
Maybe it was loneliness that took her life away
Or maybe 'cause the sky showed only shades of black and grey
Oh, but yes there is this one thing that I'd like to again say
Yes, I would like to say
Goodbye madame, madame butterfly,
The song "Madame Butterfly" by Acoustic Junction tells a story of a person who attended an opera without realizing the gravity of the performance's story. The person sat in a private red-draped box, filled with the sounds of the music around them but unable to comprehend what it meant. The character is then introduced to Madame Butterfly, with whom they empathize, as they try to assure her that there is a way to escape her current state. The character speaks to her and urges her not to weep or give up, as it is not too late for her to change her fortune.
The second verse recalls the character receiving a letter that Madame Butterfly's lover, for whom she had been waiting, would soon embark on his journey. That moment was when her flame flickered and her soul sparked. At this point, the song moves into a chorus that reassures Madame Butterfly that it's not too late for her to fly, that she's young, and it's not time for her to die. The final verse reflects on the many reasons why Madame Butterfly may have taken her own life, and the song closes with a farewell to Madame Butterfly.
Line by Line Meaning
Went to the opera house, someone sang to me
I went to the opera house to listen to a singer perform.
Just a few crowns it cost, some might call it free.
The cost of the ticket was relatively low, and it was worth it to see the show.
I did not know how sad, I did not know how sad.
The lyrics of the song were sorrowful, a fact that the listener was initially unaware of.
I did not know how sad it would be.
As the show went on, the listener realized how poignant the lyrics of the song were.
Sat alone in a private box all draped in red
The listener watched the show from a private box that was decorated with red curtains.
Though I did not understand a single word they said
The lyrics of the song were in a language that the listener did not speak, so the meaning was lost on them.
The music it surrounded me, it filled my head
Despite not understanding the lyrics, the music created an immersive experience for the listener.
Don't cry, madame, madame butterfly,
The listener addresses the titular character of the opera, encouraging her not to cry.
it's not too late, too late to learn to fly.
The listener tries to console Madame Butterfly, telling her that it's never too late to turn things around.
you're much to young, too young, too young to die.
The listener notes that Madame Butterfly is too young to give up on life.
Then came the letter, he would embark
The character in the opera receives a letter informing her that her lover is leaving town.
Her flame did flicker now, her soul did spark
Upon receiving the letter, the character feels a mix of emotions - her hope wavers, but she also finds a spark of determination.
Oh, but just then, her world grew dark
Despite the glimmer of hope she felt, the character's world is about to take a turn for the worse.
Oh, how her world grew dark
(repeated for emphasis)
Maybe it was loneliness that took her life away
The listener questions what ultimately caused the character's downfall, speculating that loneliness may have played a role.
Or maybe 'cause the sky showed only shades of black and grey
The darkened sky could be a metaphor for the character's bleak future, which could have contributed to her death.
Oh, but yes there is this one thing that I'd like to again say
Despite the uncertain cause of the character's tragedy, the listener has one final message to impart.
Goodbye madame, madame butterfly,
The listener bids farewell to the character with the title of the opera.
Contributed by Maria D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Hollie
on Do What You Do
I was just hiking in a forest with a friend when she said that somebody started to build a house nearby. We went to explore. The first thing I noticed was a tree growing in the middle of where the floor should have been. It triggered a memory of a song I knew when I was a kid, that I probably learned when I was at a long-ago campfire with somebody playing the guitar. It took me a while, but gradually the words to Uncle Jed's shed came to me. I sang it for my friend, and we both totally enjoyed the moment. So, thank you, for this delightful, quirky song