Tony Bennett - Poor Butterfly Lyrics

For all time
L.Russell Brown
Another tune I wish I'd have written!

masterpiece...

I like Tony’s rendition, certainly far superior to Sinatra’s ill-advised swinging version from 1967, but for me, Sarah Vaughan does this song best.

Perfection!

Sooooooo smooth......... absolutely beautiful.

The best of the Best, ever.

Tony invariably brings new life and a definitive take on the many oldies - songs older than he is! - he's performed through the years. This is a prime example, interpreted perfectly. Thanks terracite and Mr. B.

dream!!!

There's a story told of a little Japanese
Sitting demurely neath the cherry blossom trees
Miss Butterfly her name, a sweet little innocent child was she
Till a fine young American from the sea, to her garden came

They met 'neath the cherry blossoms every day
And he taught her how to love in the American way
To love with a soul was easy to learn
And he sailed away with a promise to return

Poor Butterfly, 'neath the blossoms waiting
Poor Butterfly, for she loved him so
The moments pass into hours, the hours pass into years
And there she smiled through her tears, she murmured low

The moon and I knew that he'd be faithful
She knew he'd come to a by and by
But if he n'er came back, she'd never sigh or cry
She just would die, poor Butterfly

But if he n'er came back, she'd never sigh or cry

Thanks again, Tony, for a superb rendition of a lovely and poignant song of lost love. Puccini would be proud of you and and I'm sure he's smiling down from above.

Hear Tony on Facebook at: Friends of Tony Bennett

Ah man, Tony does it again. Stops me in my tracks and then lodges this song deep in the heart. I am so very lucky. Observation: Tony is not only a terrific singer but he has natural acting ability. The depth with which he delivers those lyrics. I think that is largely we get teary eyed when we hear him sing this sad song.

Hear Tony on Facebook at: Friends of Tony Bennett

+Nick -- thank you for that suggestion. I will pass it on to my friends who are on Facebook. I have never signed up. Only YouTube!

I used to love Cannonball's version but after I have heard the lyrics and Tony Bennett's interpretation, Cannonball's version is nothing but rape.

The music is lovely although the lyrics not so much, maybe because are somehow pity. Anyhow, all of a sudden came to mind a butterfly. Evolving from a caterpillar, to a colorful flying insect of all colors and pattern. Butterflies have short life, but an incredible journey in the making of this world.

Evidently you didn't listen to the verse. Maybe you should take in the opera Madame Butterfly

Tony lets the song sell itself he knows not to compete with it, if you get my meaning. this is what makes him the great singer he is.

Hear Tony on Facebook at: Friends of Tony Bennett

And engaging uniquely sounding voice
and a delivery system that puts chills on the listener.
L.Russell Brown

I can feel his heart and soul in this astounding performance.

This is indeed a beautiful rendition of a song that is over 100 years old. For another version, an instrumental one, check out Al Hirt's take, from the album Al Hirt with Strings.

All great

All grea5

The section where he sings "The moon and I" (2:25) just melts me when the strings come in. Absolutely beautiful!

Perfect. Have you heard The Kenny Rankin Album? It will kill you with beautiful strings!

I like Johnny Mathis' version better

you are on the wrong page :)

No I'm not. I still like Tony Bennett anyway. It's just a song preference that's all. 😃

The best description of Johnny Mathis' voice is...sickly sweet. Like eating way, way too much cotton candy.
But that's me.

Beautiful love story but kinda tragic.

Tony brings out the tragedy in this soulful ballad

EXQUISITE and pure Tony Bennett.

Tony Bennet lit this incredible song up with his heart stopping performance of a song I pray I can emulate.
L.Russell Brown

Bella interpretación de Bennett para este maravilloso e inolvidable tema del recuerdo. Muchas gracias.

Poor Butterfly , written in 1916,is one of the early great entrants into The Great American Songbook. The verse or introductory passage is almost operatic as passionately delivered by Tony Bennett. The main chorus is what is best known as a popular song. Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly serves as the antecedent of a tragic story of the unfortunate Japanese butterfly abandoned by her American lover.

Hear Tony on Facebook at: Friends of Tony Bennett

And Donn Byrne wrote a love story...Messer Marco Polo that must appease about the tragic sadness of Butterfly. Great book!

Perfectly stated
One of the greatest recordings of all time.
I come back to listen to it every year
To help remind me how to write a great song
L.Russell Brown

LITLE ITALI  se pone de pie  interpreta el MAESTRO TONY BENETT

What a performance! Brings tears to your eyes,fantastic.

The song that led me here today is his version of : I Do Not Know a Day I Didn't Love You. A wonderful song given new life by Mr. Bennett. The feelings he puts into the song and which pour out to us are magic.

SOOO true! We ARE BLSSED to have this incredibly gifted soul still among us! Thank goodness his beautiful works are still available, and that he is still making music -- setting the bar ever higher for those who follow!

When I heard this version I thought the same thing.....It's be best I've ever heard it done. and yes, his range in this and the feeling he imparts is just heart wrenching. We're Blessed to have this man in our lives.

Hear Tony on Facebook at: Friends of Tony Bennett

So true!
L.Russell Brown

I love tony bennett voice

Hear Tony on Facebook at: Friends of Tony Bennett

Tony is a great singer. He sang this song as only he can.

Was a china sea sailor and knew jaypan well. This song brought back many memories. Ranger swabbie.

This incredible rendition of this beautiful song is so GORGEOUS, it could light up anyone's little corner of the world for the precious 5 minutes it takes to hear it all. I hadn't heard this rendition before it was posted here. Years ago, I loved the way Canadian Deanna Durbin sang it on the vinyl recording I wore out.as a teenager, but this version, to me, is absolute TOPS! And, CAN YOU BELIEVE Tony's fantastic range in this piece? Thanks so very much for posting this great showpiece!

The piano by
Ralph adds much to this record. Listen to Ralph's solo, it is absolutely wonderful.

Pure magic

Thank you for posting this wonderful version of a truly remarkable song. Tony Bennett is truly an amazing artist. He is like vintage wine. He gets better with age. The man sings with such passion, intensity, honesty, and gets across what the composer had in mind! Greatness personified!

@wimpers What you refer to as the intro is technically called the verse. Most of the older songs had one, tho' they're not often heard nowadays. I agree with you that the real magic begins at 1:27 (where the chorus begins.) This is a song I love (and play) but this is the first time I've heard Tony B's version. It is the most moving rendition I've heard. Thanks to terracite for putting it up!

They don't write "songs" any more. In the true sense of the word, that is.