The band began when McCarthy left the bands and sideshows of New York City, traveling abroad and singing solo. With an open ticket and two phone numbers in her purse, she set out hoping to find her voice and new inspiration to write from. The songwork from this time period was captured on the first Faun Fables CD EARLY SONG (1999), and captured the attentions of Nils Frykdahl (Sleepytime Gorilla Museum), a musician and voice artist whose work she'd admired in a theatrical rock show called 'Idiot Flesh.' They began collaborating in 1998, sharing an instinct to weave theater into music and learning from each other's contrasting approaches to songmaking.
Since that time, the couple has built an eclectic following circling the roadways of North America in a sturdy pickup truck and touring abroad on foot, train and plane. The culmination of their longstanding partnership --a work that combines their writing and showcases their range of character-- is Faun Fables' new & sixth full-length album, LIGHT OF A VASTER DARK, released by Drag City in the winter of 2010. Previous releases include THE TRANSIT RIDER, MOTHER TWILIGHT (2001), FAMILY ALBUM (2004), and A TABLE FORGOTTEN (an EP).
In addition to Frykdahl, McCarthy has also collaborated with several other musicians, namely Will Oldham, multi-instrumentalist Kirana Peyton, violinist/thereminist Meredith Yayanos, reed player Cornelius Boots, harmonica player Mark Stikman, and Dawn's sister, Sheila McCarthy.
Captured by the heart of oral tradition, McCarthy draws inspiration from anywhere: Polish art songs, Icelandic volcanoes, The Singing Nun, recovery theater, etc. Recent studies include Wlodziemierz Staniewski's Gardzienice Theater, Cassie Terman's action theater training, narration work with Elaine Clark and a primitive technology workhop called Rabbitstick.
In 2004, Faun Fables signed to Drag City records and finally climbed Hanging Rock in Australia. They are currently based in northern California.
Subsequent albums include The Transit Rider (2006), Light of a Vaster Dark (2010), Born of the Sun (2016)
Mother Twilight
Faun Fables Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I got here
And I'll have
To leave again
My home
After sunset
An ultra-
Some beats
Find shelter
And children
Come in
They close
Their windows
As night
As night
Sets in
Sets in
Mother twilight
All the forces
Driven by
Unseen things
All the forces
Driven by
Unseen things
If you
Fear dying
Come
To her and rest
Telling
The story
While safe
Upon her breast
There's a figure
Out walking
When the world
Come to it's end
Just left
Her house drifting
To see that ultra-
Violet friend
Mother twilight
The song "Mother Twilight" by Faun Fables is a haunting representation of the impermanence of life and the feeling of finding solace in the unknown. The song begins with the lyrics "I remember when I got here and I'll have to leave again," representing the fleeting nature of our existence on earth. The idea of "home" is introduced, but it is not a physical location, but rather a feeling that is experienced after sunset, with the presence of an "ultra-violet friend."
The second verse paints a picture of children seeking refuge from the night by closing their windows, while "all the forces driven by unseen things" are mentioned, perhaps hinting at the supernatural and unexplainable forces at work in the night. The chorus introduces the character of "Mother Twilight," a figure that can provide comfort and security to those that fear death. The idea of storytelling while being cradled on her breast is mentioned, further emphasizing the maternal and nurturing nature of Mother Twilight.
The final verse describes a figure out walking while the world is coming to its end, perhaps referring to the end of life. The figure has just left Mother Twilight's house, drifting to see the ultra-violet friend once again. The song ultimately leaves the listener with a sense of mystery and wonder, inviting contemplation on the unknown forces that govern our existence.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember
I recall a past experience
When I got here
When I arrived at my current location
And I'll have
And I will.
To leave again
I will have to depart again.
My home
The place where I feel comfortable
After sunset
When the sun has gone down in the evening
An ultra-
A unique and extraordinary
Violet friend
A companion who provides comfort and support, who may have violet-colored attributes or represents the color violet
Some beats
Some people (or heartbeats)
Find shelter
Seek refuge and protection
And children
And young ones
Come in
Arrive, join
They close
They shut
Their windows
The openings in their homes to allow light and air to enter
As night
When the sky is dark
Sets in
Becomes established
Mother twilight
A metaphorical representation of the night, a mother-like figure who provides comfort and protection during times of darkness
All the forces
All powerful influences and energies
Driven by
Motivated, directed
Unseen things
Invisible phenomena, things that cannot be perceived with human senses
If you
In the event that you
Fear dying
Are afraid of death
Come
Approach, seek out
To her and rest
To the figure of Mother Twilight, to find solace and relief
Telling
Sharing
The story
Narrating and expressing oneself
While safe
When one feels secure
Upon her breast
In her arms, close to her heart
There's a figure
A person or presence
Out walking
Moving along a path, journeying
When the world
During global events and circumstances
Come to it's end
When the world reaches its ultimate conclusion or finale
Just left
Recently departed
Her house drifting
The house belonging to Mother Twilight that appears to be moving or floating
To see that ultra-
To visit and encounter that unique and extraordinary
Violet friend
The companion who provides comfort and support, who may have violet-colored attributes or represents the color violet
Mother twilight
A metaphorical representation of the night, a mother-like figure who provides comfort and protection during times of darkness
Contributed by Jason O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.