Poor Butterfly

About This Recording

I was mesmerized when I first learned this 1916 romantic ballad by Raymond Hubbell and John L. Golden. It feels almost pre-modern in its dreamy, bohemian mood. The melody’s twists were tricky to master, but they’re part of what makes this classic so captivating.

Two performances helped me unlock the song’s depth — Judy Garland’s deeply emotional take and the moody collaboration between Frank Sinatra and Duke Ellington. Both showed me how to balance tenderness and drama without over-singing.

This piece is less well-known in the Great American Songbook, which made it even more rewarding to interpret. For the coda, I experimented with weaving in Chopin’s Prelude in E minor. Surprisingly, the harmonies lined up well — though I transposed the prelude to D minor for a perfect fit. In the end, Craig Levy and I decided to let that instrumental moment stand alone rather than repeat earlier sections, giving the ending a quiet, unresolved beauty.

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Song Details

Title: Poor Butterfly
Music: Raymond Hubbell
Lyrics: John L. Golden
Year Published: 1916
Key Version References: Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra & Duke Ellington
Arrangement Notes: Includes Chopin’s Prelude in E minor (transposed to D minor) as coda

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Lyrics & Chords (Ukulele)

{title:Poor Butterfly}
{subtitle:Music by Raymond Hubbell, Words by John L. Golden}

Poor Butter- [Dm]fly [G7]'neath the blossoms [Cmaj7]waiting; 
Poor Butter- [E+]fly for she [E7]loved him [A7]so. 
The moments [D7]pass into [G7]hours, the hours [C]pass into [Am]years, 
and as she [D7]smiles through her tears, she murmers [Dm]low; [G7]
The moon and [Dm]I [G7]know that he'll be [Cmaj7]faithful; 
I'm sure he'll [E+]come to me [E7]by and [A7]by.
But if [Dm]he won't come back [Fm] then I'll never [C]sigh or cry; 
[C/E]I just must [Dm]die. [G7] Poor Butter- [C]fly.

{tag: 1916}
{tag: Raymond Hubbell}

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Listen to My Recording

Stream Poor Butterfly on Spotify
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From the album Come Explore With Me