This song was sung at the funeral of our friend, Horace, this past Sunday. I love this song - despite the fact that everytime I see anything about a “cocoon” becoming a butterfly, I have to note that a cocoon becomes a moth - it’s a chrysalis that becomes a butterfly 
. Just read the words - so packed with power and meaning:
Sphere: Related ContentHymn of Promise
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
November 10th, 2007 (4 weeks ago) at 9:44 am
I too love this song, and, as a science teacher, cringe at the cocoon reference. I’ve even tuned out of a service to mentally compose alternative words to fit the science, but I haven’t come up with satisfactory results yet!
June 26th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Hi,
Stop and think about the butterfly when it forms it is an ugly thing but when it leaves the cocoon it is a beautiful butterfly. I have a reference that it means here on earth is not the greatest but when we leave we are set free and it will be a beautiful, as the butterfly. I first heard this song at my nephews furneral. Which I know by this song he is going to be with the Lord. Wouldn’t change anything about it. IT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL
June 26th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I think you missed my point. The song is beautiful and I understand the symbolism in it - the metaphors. I am distracted, however, by the incorrect reference to a butterfly coming from a cocoon. A butterfly comes from a chrysalis. A moth comes from a cocoon. A cocoon is formed from spun thread. A chrysalis is formed when the butterfly caterpillar sheds its skin for the final time, and a hardened outer covering forms to cover the changing pupa inside. The hymn is beautiful. I just wish that the writer had taken the time to make sure his/her metaphors were correct. Butterflies DON’T come from cocoons.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:00 am
What about the book the very hungry caterpillar who turned into a beautiful butterfly. He build a small house,called a cocoon, around himself. We are God’s children and one day will be set free
July 21st, 2008 at 10:43 am
Scientifically, a butterfly coming from a “cocoon” is incorrect. However, the cocoon/butterfly relationship is firmly ingrained in literature and general public knowledge. I doubt anyone asking for authors to be correct will change it. Dom Deluis wrote a book about a butterfly emerging from a cocoon… there was songs, poems… Oh well.
October 24th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Please don’t ruin the beauty of this song for the rest of us. This will be sung at my father’s funeral today. So what if it’s not scientifically correct. The meaning of the rest of the song is so comforting. I refuse to get hung up in details. I doubt that God will either. (I can appreciate your thinking, though . . . God made us all different. Take care)
October 25th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Catherine, I think you have the right attitude. “So what if it’s not scientifically correct.” The meaning and symbolism is comforting and inspiring. I am sorry for the loss of your father.