From the recording Hypothetically Speaking
"Pannonica Butterfly" tells the story of The Baronness Kathleen Pannonica Koenigswarter (nee Rothschild), heiress to the Rothschilds and wife of Baron Koenigswarter, who left her life of privilege to be a patron to the jazz greats of New York City in the bebop era. Her beneficiaries included such greats as Charlie Parker (who died in her Manhattan apartment). Her most well known beneficiary, however, was Thelonious Monk, whom she supported for years, even taking a marijuana possession rap for him so he would not lose his cabaret card and thus his ability to perform in New York City. This track is a fine example of Gordon's writing, arranging and recording talents and features Gordon playing all instruments.
Lyrics
Pannonica Butterfly –words and music by Gordon McLeod © 2019
You stopped at the corner for the flashing red lights
Monk was riding shotgun, must have been round midnight
Searching in the weeds, they hit y'all with a slap
You wouldn't let them take him, you had to take the rap.
Pannonica butterfly, in a gilded cage
A prison of privilege , the end of an age
Bebop princess, patron of the bards,
Love dont need no cabaret card
Back in Manhattan, You took your stand,
Traded in your butterfly for a piece of Mr. Parker's band,
Your caged bird vanished with a thundering blast
They took his number, took it so fast.
Pannonica butterfly, in a gilded cage
A prison of privilege , the end of an age
Bebop princess, patron of the bards,
Love dont need no cabaret card
He said Nica you must feel so alone
tried to warn you , you cant get blood out of a stone
A technicality they turned you loose,
You don’t need a search warrant when you got a noose.
Bebop princess, your golden heart still beats
From that funky little corner down on 52 nd Street