Listen to M. Shepard

Live from 2004

Lyrics:

The stage is set to rip the wings from a butterfly,the stage is set,don't forget to breathe,between lines if the whole world dies,then it's safe to take the stage,these graves will stretchlike landing on strips - hospitals: all the dead museums, we won't have to be afraid anymore.The crowd is growing silent with the gathering storm.When the curtain falls and you're caught on the other side (just trying to keep up the act),we'll lie in the back of black cars,with the windows rolled up,joining the precession of emptiness,if we say these words,it will be too late to take them back.So we hold our breathe and fold our hands,like paper planes (and we're going to crash)We don't have to be alone ever again.There's a riot in the theatre.Someone's standing the aisle, yelling that the murderers are everywhere and they're lining up,carving M in your side.Pull the curtains back.Kill all the house lights.Pin the dress lotus flowers. The silk is spinning around and around,with the ceiling fan.I'm disappearing into the spotlight.I'm on display,with the butterfly and the scare crow,with smiles like picket fences, you tie us all up and leave us outside."That voice is silent now and the boat has sunk..."We're on our own but we're not going to run.

About the song:

• Geoff Rickly explained the song to partially be about Matthew Shepard and how he loved theatre. It is about a play and not wanting to show who you really are and putting up an act. This was based on how what happened with Matthew Shepard made the gay people of America feel like it was not safe to say who they really were. It is also about a friend of his who was scared to come out because of how complex it was. Full explanation.
• The last verse loosely quotes Matthew Shepard's father from his murderer's trial. "That voice is silent now and the boat has sunk..."
• The song describes a butterfly and how sexuality, like it, should be free.
• Tim Payne wrote most of the song and the style made Geoff Rickly think of stage fright and theme of the kind.

What are your thoughts on the song?

If you have any additions/corrections in the post, comment...