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
images
Those images that yetFresh images beget,That dolphin-torn, that gong-tormented sea.
although born irish-poet labor school speak woman women
To be born woman is to know -- although they do not speak of it at school -- women must labor to be beautiful.
people problem
The problem with some people is that when they aren't drunk, they're sober.
irish learn whatever
Irish poets, learn your trade,Sing whatever is well made.
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.
hard learning man married
It is a hard thing to be married to a man of learning that must always be having arguments.
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.
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.
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.
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.