The band takes its name from Bishop Allen Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the two lived together after college and has released three albums, "Charm School" (2003), "The Broken String" (2007) and "Grrr..." (2009).
Charm School (2003)
Charm School was Bishop Allen's first record. Recorded in fits and starts over two years, it grew song-by-song as Rice and Rudder wrote and played in their spare time. They recorded all the instruments on the album's 13 songs themselves, using drum loops to hide the fact that neither is a drummer, and almost everything on the record was recorded one track at a time in an ordinary bedroom. Backing vocals by Bonnie Schiff-Glenn and Kate Dollenmayer and supplementary drums by Coll Anderson, all added in the album's final stages, completed the songs.
The EP Project (2006)
In 2006, Bishop Allen recorded and released an EP every month of the year. Each record was titled for the month of its release (January, February, and so on), and, with the exception of August, which was a 14-song live disc, each contained four new studio songs.
The Broken String (2007)
In November 2006, Bishop Allen signed to Dead Oceans, a new sister label to Secretly Canadian and Jagjaguwar, for a modest advance. They began recording a new record that January, at Blackwatch Studios in Norman, Oklahoma, and delivered it two months later. This is Bishop Allen's first true studio recording and was released by Dead Oceans on July 24, 2007.
Grrr.... (2009)
Released in March 2009, this doesn't stray from Bishop Allen's specific brand of lovely indie pop.
07 Butterfly Nets
Bishop Allen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To pick you up
And carry you off eastward,
Though I did release you
For to seek a warmer sky
Should you be blown back
Know that I will always run to greet you,
Every time
Armed with this small butterfly net
I will face the world alone
And never be lonely
So calm that wicked wind,
And if you go, you could be gone forever
I will play awhile here
By and by and by and by
Armed with this small butterfly net
I will face the world alone
And never be lonely
Up and up you go
For to steal the secrets of the heavens
Will you share them with me
My bright and brilliant spy?
Should you be blown back
Know that I will always run to greet you
Still surprised to catch you
Every time
Still surprised to catch you
By and by and by and by
The song "Butterfly Nets" by Bishop Allen is an emotional and uplifting ballad about facing the world alone, and never being lonely. The song is addressed directly to someone or something, which the singer wants to go away but hopes will come back. They want to release it to go where it wants, namely eastward, to seek a warmer sky, but they are also asking it to be careful, as it might be gone forever, never to return. They express their willingness to wait and play alone, armed only with a small butterfly net.
The singer seems to be addressing the wind or the world as a free-spirited creature that needs to find its true nature and ultimate purpose. They acknowledge that it might return back and that they will be there to greet it. Moreover, they are open to hearing the secrets it learns from the heavens if it chooses to share them. The last part of the song circles back to the beginning, with the singer repeating the line "still surprised to catch you," as if they were grateful and in awe of the return of the world or the wind.
Overall, the song speaks to the human condition of letting go, of allowing others, both human and non-human, to find their own destiny. Still, it also speaks to the need for connection and the preparedness to face the world alone. The butterfly net symbolizes the only weapon that we have against loneliness and the fragility of human existence. The song's melody is gentle and lightly strummed, with an acoustic guitar and mellow vocals that match the lyrics' softness.
Line by Line Meaning
Calm that wicked wind,
I wish I could keep you close, but I know I must let you go. So before you fly away, can you ask the wind to be gentle and kind?
To pick you up
I want you to soar and fly high above, to reach unimaginable heights and see things most of us can only dream of.
And carry you off eastward,
I know you will fly far away from me, towards new places and people on the other side of the world. And that's okay, as long as you remember me when the wind blows west.
Though I did release you
I know I can't hold onto you forever, even though I love you dearly. So I'm letting you go, even though it hurts to say goodbye.
For to seek a warmer sky
I hope you find happiness and sunshine, a place where you feel safe and free from harm. And I believe you will find it, wherever you go, because you are strong and brave.
Should you be blown back
If you ever feel lost, or hurt, or afraid, just remember that I'm always here for you. No matter what happens, you can count on me to catch you and hold you close.
Know that I will always run to greet you,
I will drop everything, no matter how far away you are or how long it's been, just to see your face and hold your hand. You are always welcome in my heart and home.
Still surprised to catch you
Every time I see you, it's like a miracle. I'm amazed that such a wonderful, smart, kind person could be part of my life, and I'm grateful for every moment we spend together.
Armed with this small butterfly net
Even though you're far away, I have a way to catch a piece of you and keep it with me always. I will treasure the memories we made together, and never forget the love we shared.
I will face the world alone
Even though it's scary and hard sometimes, I know I can make it through anything, because I have the strength and courage you gave me. You are my inspiration and my hope.
And never be lonely
Even when I'm alone, I will never be lonely, because I have you in my heart. You are the light that guides me through the dark, and the warmth that keeps me going.
So calm that wicked wind,
I know I can't control everything, and I don't want to. I just want you to be safe and happy, wherever you go. So please, wind, be kind and gentle with my dear friend.
And if you go, you could be gone forever
I know that life is unpredictable, and things can change in an instant. So if you do leave, please know that I will always remember you, love you, and miss you.
I will play awhile here
Even though I'm sad and scared, I know it's important to enjoy the moment and not waste a single day. I will do my best to laugh, to love, and to live fully, because that's what you would want for me.
By and by and by and by
Time passes quickly, and life is short. But even though we don't know what the future holds, I believe that we will always be connected, no matter where we are.
Up and up you go
I'm so proud of you, and all the wonderful things you've accomplished. You are capable of anything you set your mind to, and I can't wait to see what you do next.
For to steal the secrets of the heavens
You have a curious mind and a thirst for knowledge, and I know you will never stop exploring the mysteries of the world. I hope you find the answers you seek, and that they bring you joy and wonder.
Will you share them with me
I'm curious, too, and I want to learn everything you know. I trust your wisdom and your insight, and I know you have a lot to teach me. So please, tell me all your secrets.
My bright and brilliant spy?
You are so clever and perceptive, and I admire your intelligence and wit. I feel lucky to have you as my friend, and I know you will always have my back, no matter what.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christian Rudder, Justin Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind