Pannonica
T.Monk-S.Rollins-E.HenrC.Terry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Light as air and able to fly
Lost songs no bliss while they're waiting for her kiss
Pannonica my butterfly.
Fluttering one fair and bright as the sun
Light as wind embrassing the sky
Colorful wings soft and gaily painted things
Like the lovely flowers i'll wait for hours
Just to fell that touch the touch i love so much
One day she'll flutter by and i'll hold out my hand
cnd capture my butterfly.
Deliicate things such as butterfly wings
Poets can't describle though they try
Love played the tune while she steps from her cacoon
Pannonica my lovely, lovely little butterfly.
The lyrics of "Pannonica" by Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, and Ernie Henry capture a sense of delicate beauty and longing for the titular character, Pannonica, who is metaphorically portrayed as a butterfly. The imagery of Pannonica being softer than silk and warm like milk evokes a sense of gentleness and comfort. The reference to lost songs yearning for her kiss suggests a sense of incompleteness or yearning that is only fulfilled in her presence.
The lyrics further describe Pannonica as a butterfly that is light as air and able to fly, symbolizing freedom and grace. The comparison to the sun and wind emphasizes her radiant and ephemeral nature, while her colorful wings are depicted as soft and gaily painted, adding to the imagery of beauty and vibrancy. The repetition of "Pannonica my butterfly" reinforces the affection and admiration felt towards her.
The lyrics also convey a sense of yearning and anticipation for Pannonica's presence, with the singer willing to wait for hours just to feel her touch. The imagery of waiting for her to flutter by and holding out a hand to capture her symbolizes a desire to connect and hold onto the fleeting beauty and joy she represents. The use of delicate butterfly wings as a metaphor highlights the fragility and transient nature of love and beauty.
In the final verse, the lyrics suggest that Pannonica's transformation from a cocoon symbolizes a rebirth or evolution brought about by love. The reference to poets struggling to describe the beauty of such delicate things adds a layer of complexity to the portrayal of Pannonica as a symbol of beauty and inspiration. The repetition of "Pannonica my lovely, lovely little butterfly" serves as a tender and affectionate tribute to her enduring allure and impact on the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Softer than silk and as warm as warm milk
Gentle and comforting, soothing like a warm embrace
Light as air and able to fly
Free-spirited and graceful, capable of soaring
Lost songs no bliss while they're waiting for her kiss
Longing and incomplete without her presence
Pannonica my butterfly
Referring to the beloved butterfly with admiration and affection
Fluttering one fair and bright as the sun
Radiant and beautiful like the sun itself
Light as wind embracing the sky
Effortless and airy, moving with the elements
Colorful wings soft and gaily painted things
Vibrant and joyous, decorated with delicate hues
Pannonica my butterfly
Expressing admiration and fondness for the butterfly
Like the lovely flowers I'll wait for hours
Patiently anticipating her arrival, like awaiting the bloom of flowers
Just to feel that touch, the touch I love so much
Craving the tender connection that brings immense joy
One day she'll flutter by and I'll hold out my hand
Anticipating the moment she will come near, prepared to welcome her
And capture my butterfly
Embracing and cherishing the beauty of capturing her presence
Delicate things such as butterfly wings
Fragile and intricate, like the wings of a butterfly
Poets can't describe though they try
Challenging for words to capture the essence of its beauty
Love played the tune while she steps from her cocoon
Love guiding her transformation into something magnificent
Pannonica my lovely, lovely little butterfly
Endearing and affectionate towards the enchanting butterfly
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@willieluncheonette
Absolutely sensational rendering of this beautiful standard. Must have heard this 50 times and it never grows old. Monk loved melody so much and he sure picked a pretty song to play here. No one played chords like Monk. Notice the run of chords from 2:20-2:32 and from 4:41-5:05. Incredibly exciting and unusual. Of course, after this album, Brilliant Corners, Monk played all solo piano on Thelonious Himself, except for the final track with Trane. And what an album that is!!!
@mariolongo7369
Monk is one of those pianists that you recognize immediately after just a note ...
@1feloniouspunk
yes, one of the best albums of all time. And I mean of any genre.
@jayarnbert6137
The emotion contained in each note bears the hallmark of Genius
@user-hw3os1ii5h
I think so it does in this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7lbD1hqVQM
@ronaldchambers8901
Love this!!
@kaethebratton9306
i surrender to his greatness,this lp is a treasure,from so many years ago.
@winstondwin1579
this is wonderful!!!
@willieluncheonette
Just an addition to my comment below. How could I have forgotten Wilbur Ware on the Coltrane track? Towards the end of one of the greatest albums ever made of solo piano, Ware starts playing and it is one of the most electric moments I have ever heard in all of jazz.
@noahvale939
You're thinking of another album. Coltrane and Ware are not on this one.