Poor Butterfly
George Siravo & His Orchestra Lyrics


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Poor butterfly
'Neath the blossoms waiting
Poor butterfly
For she loved him so

The moments pass into hours
The hours pass into years
And as she smiles through her tears
She murmurs low

The moon and I
Know that he'll be faithful
I'm sure he'll come back
By and by

But if he don't come back
I just must die




Poor butterfly
[Repeat: ]

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics to "Poor Butterfly" by George Siravo & His Orchestra, we witness a poignant tale of unrequited love and longing. The image of a delicate butterfly waiting underneath the blossoms paints a picture of fragility and vulnerability. The repeated use of the word "poor" emphasizes the sorrow and pity felt for the butterfly, symbolizing a lovelorn figure yearning for the return of a lost love. The butterfly's deep affection for the object of her affection is palpable as she waits with bated breath.


As time passes, the butterfly's anticipation turns to despair as she realizes that her love has not returned. The progression of moments into hours and hours into years highlights the enduring nature of her longing and the emotional toll it takes on her. Despite the passage of time, she continues to hold on to hope, smiling through her tears and murmuring her wishes softly. This demonstrates the resilience and strength of her love, even in the face of disappointment.


The mention of the moon as a witness to her faith in her lover's eventual return adds a touch of melancholy to the lyrics. The moon, a symbol of night and solitude, becomes a silent companion to the butterfly in her moments of wavering faith. The imagery suggests a sense of cosmic connection and a belief in something greater than herself that gives her solace in her time of need. The conviction that he will be faithful and come back someday reflects her unwavering devotion and trust in their love.


The heartbreaking conclusion of the lyrics portrays the depths of the butterfly's despair and the ultimate sacrifice she is willing to make for love. The haunting declaration that she would rather die than face a future without her beloved showcases the intensity of her emotions and the all-consuming nature of her love. The repetition of the phrase "Poor butterfly" serves as a poignant refrain, underscoring the tragic fate of the lovelorn creature and evoking empathy from the listener. Overall, the lyrics of "Poor Butterfly" evoke a sense of longing, devotion, and heartache that resonate with anyone who has experienced unrequited love.


Line by Line Meaning

Poor butterfly
Unfortunate creature


'Neath the blossoms waiting
Under the flowers, patiently anticipating


Poor butterfly
Unlucky insect


For she loved him so
Because she loved him deeply


The moments pass into hours
Short periods of time turn into longer ones


The hours pass into years
Hours turn into years


And as she smiles through her tears
While she tries to stay positive despite crying


She murmurs low
She speaks softly


The moon and I
Both the moon and I


Know that he'll be faithful
Understand that he will remain loyal


I'm sure he'll come back
I am confident he will return


By and by
Eventually


But if he don't come back
But if he does not return


I just must die
I will simply perish


Poor butterfly
Victimized insect




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Golden, Raymond Hubbell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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