This song has very blatant references to Madama butterfly the opera by Puccini. "caught a lovely butterfly" probably refers to Pinkerton choosing to marry butterfly, a 15 year old geisha. He fell in love, or lust with her when he first saw her and paid so she could be his wife.
"She had withered all away" and "i'm sorry for what i did" refer to when Pinkerton leaves butterfly soon after they consummate their marriage and does not return for 3 years. In this time Butterfly waits for him in complete devotion. She took their marriage very seriously whereas he was using her and careless about the commitment. The "i'm sorry for what i did" refers to when Pinkerton does finally return but with his new american wife. He sees how devoted Butterfly has been and realizes his cruelty. His ultimate remorse comes when Butterfly commits suicide when she realizes that he no longer loves her and is taking away her child with him.
"Everytime i pin down what i want it slips away" also refers to a line in the opera where butterfly tells pinkerton that she heard that in america they pin butterflys to boards and it scares her.He replies that they only do this to hold onto the butterflys beauty.
Finally, "I told you I would return, when the robin makes his nest, but i ain't never comin' back, i'm sorry , im sorry im sorry." Is the most direct reference to Madama Butterfly in the song. Before Pinkerton leaves, he tells butterfly that he will return when robins make their nest. She has hoped for that day for years but the time has come and gone. She even asks Sharpless(an american consul) if robins make their nest at a different time in america because she refuses to give up hope.
In conclusion, I would say that this song has to do with taking advantage of something beautiful and pure. He uses her body for his pleasure and then leaves her to wither and die. He didn't realize how much she loved him and when he makes this realization it is too late. The harm has been done and he can only say he's sorry.
This song has very blatant references to Madama butterfly the opera by Puccini. "caught a lovely butterfly" probably refers to Pinkerton choosing to marry butterfly, a 15 year old geisha. He fell in love, or lust with her when he first saw her and paid so she could be his wife. "She had withered all away" and "i'm sorry for what i did" refer to when Pinkerton leaves butterfly soon after they consummate their marriage and does not return for 3 years. In this time Butterfly waits for him in complete devotion. She took their marriage very seriously whereas he was using her and careless about the commitment. The "i'm sorry for what i did" refers to when Pinkerton does finally return but with his new american wife. He sees how devoted Butterfly has been and realizes his cruelty. His ultimate remorse comes when Butterfly commits suicide when she realizes that he no longer loves her and is taking away her child with him. "Everytime i pin down what i want it slips away" also refers to a line in the opera where butterfly tells pinkerton that she heard that in america they pin butterflys to boards and it scares her.He replies that they only do this to hold onto the butterflys beauty. Finally, "I told you I would return, when the robin makes his nest, but i ain't never comin' back, i'm sorry , im sorry im sorry." Is the most direct reference to Madama Butterfly in the song. Before Pinkerton leaves, he tells butterfly that he will return when robins make their nest. She has hoped for that day for years but the time has come and gone. She even asks Sharpless(an american consul) if robins make their nest at a different time in america because she refuses to give up hope. In conclusion, I would say that this song has to do with taking advantage of something beautiful and pure. He uses her body for his pleasure and then leaves her to wither and die. He didn't realize how much she loved him and when he makes this realization it is too late. The harm has been done and he can only say he's sorry.
damn this is about the first time i've seen an actual explanation here from a knowledgeable standpoint. thank you
damn this is about the first time i've seen an actual explanation here from a knowledgeable standpoint. thank you