William Butler
William Butler
Multi-instrumentalist for the band Arcade Fire who plays bass, synth, guitar, and percussion. He has also worked on movie soundtracks, like the one for Her.
ProfessionGuitarist
Date of Birth6 October 1982
accidents barely case choose life man reason simple understand woman
I think a man and a woman should choose each other for life, for the simple reason that a long life with all its accidents is barely enough for a man and a woman to understand each other; and in this case to understand is to love.
beauty decay endless joy land time wisdom
Land of Heart's Desire, Where beauty has no ebb, decay no flood, But joy is wisdom, time an endless song.
irish learn whatever
Irish poets, learn your trade,Sing whatever is well made.
gift girl indolence man meddling mouths poet poets statesman
I think it better that at times like theseWe poets keep our mouths shut, for in truthWe have no gift to set a statesman right;He's had enough of meddling who can pleaseA young girl in the indolence of her youthOr an old man upon a winter's night.
cannot disaster fashion man mould passion pen permitted seek sing takes
It is not permitted to a man who takes up pen or chisel, to seek originality, for passion is his only business, and he cannot but mould or sing after a new fashion because no disaster is like another.
improve men
For men improve with the years;And yet, and yet,Is this my dream, or the truth?
passionate doubt-and-certainty anarchy
The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.
love men bending-down
One man loved the pilgrim soul in you, And loved the sorrows of your changing face.
others ourselves poetry quarrels
Out of our quarrels with others we make rhetoric. Out of our quarrels with ourselves we make poetry.
great hate ireland
Out of Ireland have we come. Great hatred, little room, Maimed us at the start.
death excited grow heights meet others vow
Others because you did not keepThat deep-sworn vow have been friends of mine;Yet always when I look death in the face,When I clamber to the heights of sleep,Or when I grow excited with wine,Suddenly I meet your face.
beggar beggars cannon changed goes horseback lashes places revolution
Hurrah for revolution and more cannon-shot!A beggar upon horseback lashes a beggar on foot,Hurrah for revolution and cannon come again!The beggars have changed places but the lash goes on.
bone created death knows
He knows death to the bone --Man has created death.
against children close dream great half loosen pride shall song spoken weigh
Half close your eyelids, loosen your hair,And dream about the great and their pride;They have spoken against you everywhere,But weigh this song with the great and their pride;I made it out of a mouthful of air,Their children's children shall say they have lied.