Butterfly

Butterfly

00:00 / 03:12

I've been writing "Butterfly" since at least 1987, and perhaps earlier. It's a really simple and beautiful idea for a song, and I think I mostly have it right.

The music has been done forever.

But wow, the words.

I'm fine with the first two verses and most of the bridge. I keep changing the last verse and the very end of the song.

And yes, I know that if my protagonist forms a cocoon rather than a chrysalis he's a moth.

He thinks he's a butterfly.

It's OK.

Butterfly

I used to crawl upon the ground

Beneath a garden wall I’d crawl around

But as the days flew by

Somehow I found a dream

To fly

I had no wings to carry me

I had no way to know what wings might be

Still as the nights grew long

Somehow I found my dream grew strong

I would climb the highest branch

Spin a warm cocoon

Listen to my heart beat

While waiting fills

And seasons change

And then a time would come

To spread my dreamer’s wings

And fly away

Now I can see for miles and miles

Beyond my garden wall the sunshine smiles

And now I see that I

Was born to be a butterfly

I’ll chase the evening star

And if you follow

You'll go far

Butterfly - 1987

00:00 / 02:15

Butterfly

I've been writing "Butterfly" since at least 1987, and perhaps earlier. It's a really simple and beautiful idea for a song, and I think I mostly have it right.

​

The music has been done forever.

But wow, the words.

​

I'm fine with the first two verses and most of the bridge. I keep changing the last verse and the very end of the song.

​

And yes, I know that if my protagonist forms a cocoon rather than a chrysalis he's a moth.

​

He thinks he's a butterfly.

​

It's OK.

​

​