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
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.
joy periods sustained temporary
he had an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustained him through temporary periods of joy.'
beings clearer gather life minds moment perhaps
we can make our minds so still like water. That beings gather about us to see their own images, and so live for a moment with a clearer perhaps even with a fiercer life because of silence.
against alone believe candle master mind mothers spoke took
What do you think of when alone at night?Do not the things your mothers spoke about,Before they took the candle from the bedside,Rush up into the mind and master it,Till you believe in them against your will?
fire great
Because of that great nobleness of hersThe fire that stirs about her, when she stirs,Burns but more clearly.
dreams softly spread tread
I have spread my dreams under your feet; tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
knowledge straw worth
I would be -- for no knowledge is worth a straw --Ignorant and wanton as the dawn.
certainly child comfort desire destroyed drink known men seen wife
I have certainly known more men destroyed by the desire to have a wife and child and to keep them in comfort than I have seen destroyed by drink and harlots
bad believed best good lantern man swing
I have believed the best of every man. And find that to believe it is enough to make a bad man show him at his best, or even a good man swing his lantern higher.
improve men
For men improve with the years;And yet, and yet,Is this my dream, or the truth?
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.
balloon bellies narrow
Hands, do what you're bid;Bring the balloon of the mindThat bellies and drags in the windInto its narrow shed.
dried listen soon
I'd as soon listen to dried peas in a bladder, as listen to your thoughts.