Butterflies
When Lyrics


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Moment in time, just for a while
The face lighted up so I could see the smile
Following her, hidden by dark
The night's not enough to keep us apart
Forbidden love, but I get near
Tense and confused
don't know what I fear
"I love you", she said
follow me through
and I'll find a way to get out of here
Chorus:
She was, she was to me

a butterfly, slipping into blue sky
She was, she was to me
a refugee running away with me
I'm happy now, though she has flown
into the world she calls her own
on a warm wind, carried away
not to be kept




she was not to stay
Chorus

Overall Meaning

The song "Butterflies" by the British band When, is a poignant tale of a forbidden love that blooms for a moment, only to dissipate into nothingness. The first verse sets the mood of the song, as the singer describes a brief encounter with someone special. The word 'moment in time' gives the listener a sense of immediacy, and the 'face lit up' implies a kind of magic or nostalgia. The second line confirms this, as the singer states that he can see the woman's smile. The verbs 'following' and 'hidden' suggest that this love affair is something that has to be hidden, and that the two lovers have to meet in secret. The line 'the night's not enough to keep us apart' implies that this love is passionate, and that the two parties will find a way to overcome any obstacles that come their way.


The second verse of the song further develops the narrative, describing the singer's emotions as he confronts his love. The line 'tense and confused, don't know what I fear' speaks to the universal feeling of being in love, and not knowing what to do or how to react. The woman then tells him that she loves him, and that he should follow her. The tone of the song changes, as the singer becomes more hopeful and determined: 'and I'll find a way to get out of here'. However, the chorus of the song brings back the sense of melancholy that permeates the track. The woman is like a butterfly, he says, floating away from him, and it is clear that their love is doomed to fail.


Overall, the song is one of the most touching ballads about the fleetingness of love, and how it can be both beautiful and tragic at the same time.


Line by Line Meaning

Moment in time, just for a while
Brief moment in time where I saw her smile.


The face lighted up so I could see the smile
Her face was bright enough for me to see her smile.


Following her, hidden by dark
I followed her through the darkness.


The night's not enough to keep us apart
Deeper feelings that the night could not prevent.


Forbidden love, but I get near


Tense and confused don't know what I fear
Mixed emotions and confusions that I couldn't comprehend.


"I love you", she said follow me through and I'll find a way to get out of here
She confesses her love and promises to find a way out for us.


Chorus: She was, she was to me a butterfly, slipping into blue sky
She was like a butterfly, flying away up high with her newfound freedom.


She was, she was to me a refugee running away with me
She was like a refugee escaping from her circumstances with me.


I'm happy now, though she has flown into the world she calls her own
I am content despite her leaving for her own journey.


On a warm wind, carried away not to be kept she was not to stay Chorus
She was carried away by the winds of fate and could not stay with me.




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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Jova Barris

This informative insight has resonated in all ways conceivable.

Today, I pondered an undesirable predicament in which I have experienced for doing absolutely nothing wrong. To specify, I was pulled-over by an undercover officer in an unmarked vehicle. Hence, the vehicle looked like any other as the officer didn't even have a uniform-on. I contacted the 911 Dispatcher prior to immediately pulling-over to confirm that the undercover officer attempted to pull-me-over. The officer traumatized me as I chose to leave work early the day of the horrific event. The officer apologized, offered me a courtesy ride back to my vehicle after transporting me to his station. And I thought his mistake had been the end of the horrific event to only receive a ticket to the court months afterwards. Thereafter, I was given an option to accept a Diversion Ticket type of Program for his mistake. I feel as if I'm being penalized for being a Latina. The United Stated has a substantial amount of racial discrimination. I've forgiven the undercover officer and I've prayed regarding the officer's racial intents. I'm reasonably analytical... I've analyzed the predicament to every capacity. I didn't make a mistake on that horrific day. I did everything correctly. The reason for pulling-me-over had been for a "suspended license plate"; the officer apologized for his mistake once I showed him my receipt for paying my speeding ticket years before. He explained that the speeding ticket occurred in a different county and hadn't been properly uploaded to his county's data system.

I pondered all of the unfairness and racism that co-exists in the United States. Then, I thought about good countries that promote diversity in all forms, countries that promote justified harmony (not the "if you have money; then you'll get justice" but genuine fair justice). I wish the United States was a good country. I'm heartbroken contemplating all of the parents who suffered emotional distress from their colored children being shot just for jogging around their neighborhoods... how horrible to be mistreated just for not being Caucasian. God created all of his creations to be uniquely individualized.

So, I continued cleaning my home as I'm a Grateful Homemaker, took a nap, and then counted change in my pocketbook for today's deposit. And I then noticed a tranquil Brown Butterfly near the kitchen window above our kitchen sink. I'm "brown" as I'm a Latina. In other words, the Brown Butterfly has been great confirmation. Hence, "there shall be barriers; strong faith helps us 'fly' through undesirable predicaments w/ grace." I'm unsure of the result from the silly, nonsense, and racial Diversion Ticket type of Program. Regardless, I truly hope that the racist officer has found or finds Jesus.

Additional: I've seen lots of Monarch Butterflies as well. And I noticed lots of Monarch Butterflies flying above and across my path during my walks.

Thank you for the informative insight.



All comments from YouTube:

Celestial Inspiration

Seen a white butterfly lately? Please watch our other video here! >> Meaning of butterfly - Find Out The Meaning Of White Butterfly It Will Surprise You! โžก๏ธ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrEBOtneSBs

Timmy Linonhay

Brown butterfly come night in my room.why not day time

Wendy Romero

Last Nov 13 we were praying ๐Ÿ™ for the soul of my brother, he committed suicide a year ago. My sister , cousin a friend of ours saw a brown / yellow butterfly flying around his picture then left. My sister told me that she felt peace. Our friend cried.

Asif Munir ( Universe)

But I'm seeking white one

Patricia Arias

A brown butterfly has been visiting me for a couple of weeks. It lands on my hand in such a beautiful way as if we are playing. My sister recently passed and when it first visited me, I cried I felt the love and energy it was so beautiful โค๏ธ. Now I step outside and I call it with my thoughts and the butterfly comes to me. It feels magical!

Angela Duzej

Resently I saw brown butterfly, I declare abundance in my life! Thank you dear God

Harshitha. P

Thank you universe

JM Miku

Just one brown butterfly stopped at me even when I walk away in our office. I have strong feeling it means something and I ended on this video to validate. Hoping for everyone to be blessed too

Celestial Inspiration

May Angels Bless You... Always!

Nalem's Channel

Hello everyone. My father passing away last Wednesday night October 26. Then while I was watching over PAPA in front of his coffin there was a white butterfly circling around the house. Then went inside PAPA's room where my Mother was sleeping. That's why I cried because I suddenly miss my dad. Then less than a minute. A Big Brown Butterfly came in again ๐Ÿฆ‹ That's why I cried even louder because of the squealing and the speed of flying. After that, a brown Butterfly went around the whole house. He landed on my arm. I'm so happy I'm about to cry. Today Nov 1 five butterflies ๐Ÿฆ‹ visited our house. 3Brown ,๐Ÿฆ‹ 1White 1Rainbow๐ŸŒˆ,๐Ÿฆ‹

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