You are a splendid butterfly
It is your wings that make you beautiful
And I could make you fly away (I could make you fly away)
But I could never make you stay
You said you were in love with me (you said you were in love with me)
Both of us know that that's impossible
And I could make you rue the day (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'll 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 (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'll do (it doesn't matter what I'll do)
Not for all my little words
It doesn't matter what I'll do (it doesn't matter what I'll do)
Not for all my little words


Lyrics submitted by Anne Arbour

All My Little Words Lyrics as written by Stephin Raymond Merritt

Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

All My Little Words song meanings
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26 Comments

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  • +9
    General Comment

    I feel like the most important line in the song is "it is your wings that make you beautiful." It isn't just that it can't work out, it can't work out for the very reasons he is in love.

    judahnielsenon November 21, 2006   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    I feel like there should be a disclaimer on this song or something. That final stanza murders me brutally. The banjo juxtaposed with the strings kicks me when I'm down. This comment doesn't make sense.

    enjoytheeightieson December 18, 2005   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    These lyrics drive home the futility of unrequited love. You can make the person 'rue the day', you can hurt them horribly, you can make them feel like shit, and you can tell them you hate them -- but at then end of the day, they won't come back to you.

    What is beautiful about this song is that the futility covers each end of the spectrum. Even if you wrote 'the sweetest song you ever heard', they would not return. Or alternatively, if you hurt them, it will still do nothing.

    mikecon April 08, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    the combination of cheesy and real is what makes it work. perfect capture of emotion - hackneyed and true (which in itself might be a cliche?)

    jalopyon November 09, 2007   Link
  • +2
    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.

    charitoon June 21, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Amazingly simple

    Unboyfriendable...love it

    peroxide_filthon October 04, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    One of the most beautiful songs ever...

    Sometimes, you know it can't ever work, but it doesn't make you want it any less.

    Otomodachion March 10, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    its kind of cheesy at the beginning. but at the end. wow. yes. wow.

    bright.eyes.on July 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Hits the nail on the head of wanting a relationship but knowing it won't work.

    I love this song.

    popbaby1on May 12, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Wow! This song describes everything. The singer feels useless but by accepting it all, he is very mature.

    I could never make you stay...

    gnoxyzon August 27, 2006   Link

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