You are a splendid butterfly
It is your wings that make you beautiful
And I could make you fly away
But I could never make you stay

You said you were in love with me
Both of us know that that's impossible
And I could make you rue the day
But I could never make you stay

Not for all the tea in China
Not if I could sing like a bird
Not for all North Carolina
Not for all my little words
Not if I could write for you
The sweetest song you ever heard
It doesn't matter what I do
Not for all my little words

Now that you've made me want to die
You tell me that you're unboyfriendable
And I could make you pay and pay
But I could never make you stay

Not for all the tea in China
Not if I could sing like a bird
Not for all North Carolina
Not for all my little words
Not if I could write for you
The sweetest song you ever heard
It doesn't matter what I do
Not for all my little words

It doesn't matter what I do
Not for all my little words...



Lyrics submitted by Anne Arbour

Track duration: 02:46


All My Little Words song meanings
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25 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Some people feel unfree in a relationship with no obvious reason. Probably because of the deep love you give them and they can't give you back. Beautiful song, captured me from the first moment.
    Flag InBetweenTheLineson April 05, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm not saying this is based on the novel, "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov because I wouldn't even attempt to get into the genius workings of Stephin's mind. But this song really reminds me of it possibly because it is my favorite piece of literature or maybe because of the reference of butterflies.
    Flag kellymprestonon January 21, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:so simple and beautifully sad
    Flag missmoularsonon December 04, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It´s just perfect. He writes songs that make you feel like he was watching your love since the beginning. I don´t know anyone who was so sincere about love in the music world, I only can compare him to writers and poets.
    Flag melmuaraon November 24, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Truly a sad song. Teaches us how we can't fix something alone when it comes to a relationship. Whatever you try won't be enough if the other part isn't willing to love you as much as you love her.

    You can destroy something pretty easily by yourself, but building something together isn't that easy and mutual contribution is needed for a relationship go well.

    He's in love, but at the same time isn't blindly in love. He knows she doesn't love him, it's simply impossible for it to happen, maybe not because of him, but because of the kind of person he felt in love for, no matter what he does. He states that she got wings, and I see that as reason for the relationship not to work out, she got wings for the sole purpose of flying away.
    Flag gogueon June 11, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:goddamn you magnetic fields for your truth and sadness. I love this song. It's still early, but I'm pretty sure this is my favorite of theirs. I think judahnielsen nailed it on this one and doesn't that just make it so much sadder? Everyone's right on this one....and i don't know if i have anything to add. Sorry. I get scared sometimes that i'm gonna wind up in this song.....doesn't make me like it any less. Maybe more though.
    Flag StickityWicketon March 16, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Does "unboyfriendable" mean not capable of being a boyfriend or not capable of having a boyfriend? I think it could go both ways in this song.
    Flag RedDwarfon October 31, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I feel this hopelessness. I know I can never make him stay. The only thing I have been successful at is making him rue the day.
    Flag GeorginaMansleyon July 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"You said you were in love with me
    Both of us know that that's impossible"

    they're lovers and he's madly in love with her (or him), but at the same time he can see through her: deep down he knows she doesn't love him. few things are more heartbraking than having someone and at the same time not really. not their hearts.
    Flag charitoon June 21, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:how can stephen merrit know me already?

    i broke up with a boy who finally told me he wanted me... because i knew he really didn't. "i could make you pay and pay, but i could never make you stay." no matter what i do, no matter how much i want him, he'll never want me back.
    Flag youturtledoveon April 26, 2008   Link

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