Rasputina is a "cello rock" ensemble composed of singer/cellist Melora Crea… Read Full Bio ↴Rasputina is a "cello rock" ensemble composed of singer/cellist Melora Creager, and various, frequently changing band members. The current lineup includes Creager (cello), Daniel Dejesus (cello), and Dawn Miceli (drums).

Founded by Creager in 1992, they have long held true to their mission of enlightening the common man as to the power and versatility of the mighty cello. Historically influenced, and constantly costumed, Rasputina keeps a small legion of incredibly passionate admirers enthralled with their earnest musicianship. Considered to be quite a pioneer and visionary, Melora and her group have inspired countless young people to pick up the cello, and have re-inspired many uninspired string players. Rasputina considers this to be the finest payment for their work.

Professional involvements have included Nirvana, Ultra Vivid Scene, Marilyn Manson, Porno For Pyros, Belle and Sebastian,and Cheap Trick.

Former Members of Rasputina:
Julia Kent (89-99)
Kris Cowperthwaite (00-02)
Zoë Keating (02-06)
Sarah Bowman (06-08)
Jonathon TeBeest (00-08)

Small Boy Jumps
Rasputina Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

"Hey little boy with the bowties to spare
Perched on the rooftop, the wind in your hair
We tell you jump and you do it on cue
You fly alone but you know we love you
Flying, jumped he did not fall he's smiling
laughing at it all he is
Flying, tripped he did not fall
he is smiling

laughing at it all
Don't call him midget and say he's a dream
He doesn't listen, his concience is clean
ask him a question, for he wrote the map
This time you saw him he sat in your lap

He's flying now, he'll show you how high

He always asked, 'Oh, do clowns die, Daddy?'
Usually they die mysteriously
Nannies and barbers all cried at his death
It really wasn't his christening dress

Flying, jumped he did not fall,
smiling laughing at it all he is

flying tripped he did not fall, he is smiling
laughing at it all"

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Rasputina's "Small Boy Jumps" describe a boy who is brave, adventurous, and unafraid to take risks. He wears bowties and sits on rooftops, feeling the wind in his hair. When he's told to jump, he doesn't hesitate, and he flies through the air with a smile on his face. Although others may see him as small and maybe even call him a midget, he has a strong spirit and a clean conscience. He is someone who wrote the map, someone who asks the tough questions, and someone who can make others smile.

The song's chorus repeats the phrase "flying, jumped he did not fall, he's smiling, laughing at it all." This line captures the boy's adventurous spirit and his ability to stay positive even when things don't go exactly as planned. This song seems to celebrate the playful and carefree nature of childhood, urging listeners to embrace their inner child and take risks.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey little boy with the bowties to spare
The song addresses a young boy who is dressed eccentrically and stands out from the rest.

Perched on the rooftop, the wind in your hair
The boy is pictured standing and looking out into the world from atop a building, with the wind blowing his hair.

We tell you jump and you do it on cue
The boy is someone the adults tell what to do and he complies obediently

You fly alone but you know we love you
Although the boy is independent, he knows that he is loved by the adults.

Flying, jumped he did not fall he's smiling laughing at it all he is
The boy jumps from the rooftop, but does not fall, he is smiling and laughing through the experience.

Flying, tripped he did not fall he is smiling laughing at it all
Again, the boy accomplishes something difficult, even though he trips while trying, he still finds it amusing and goes on smiling.

Don't call him midget and say he's a dream
People should not call the boy a 'midget' or presume he is in a dream because he is different.

He doesn't listen, his conscience is clean
The boy has his own thoughts and is not strictly following what others say, though he is still pure enough to not be corrupted.

ask him a question, for he wrote the map
The boy may be different but he has the potential to guide and teach others.

This time you saw him he sat in your lap
The boy is affectionate and willing to be close to others; willing to connect to the adults around him.

He's flying now, he'll show you how high
The boy is now ready to take things to a higher level, both literally and figuratively.

He always asked, 'Oh, do clowns die, Daddy?'
The boy has a strong curiosity and is interested in asking profound questions that people might otherwise overlook.

Usually they die mysteriously
The father's answer suggests an acknowledgment of the fate of people who are different from the norm and the hazards such people face.

Nannies and barbers all cried at his death
The boy eventually passes away, perhaps from the same fate that the father prescribes to the clowns.

It really wasn't his christening dress
The line could either just be a random addition to the narrative, or could be an oblique way of expressing gender non-conformity at a time when it was not as acceptable as it is now, perhaps as an underlying motivating factor in why the boy might have faced demonization and discrimination

Contributed by Gavin T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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