Heron began by playing in R&B and pop bands in Edinburgh, including The Saracens. In late 1965 he successfully auditioned to join a new trio, The Incredible String Band, with Robin Williamson and Clive Palmer.
While with ISB, Heron released a solo recording, Smiling Men with Bad Reputations, released in 1971. This took eclecticism to a new extreme, blending rock, folk and world music into an atmospheric whole. Contributing musicians included Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, Duncan Browne and Ronnie Lane (as "Tommy & The Bijoux"!), John Cale, Richard Thompson, Dave Mattacks, Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg, Dudu Pukwana, Elton John, and Steve Winwood.
After the ISB broke up in 1974, Heron formed his own band, Mike Heron's Reputation, with three other members of the final "electric" ISB line-up - Graham Forbes, John Gilston, and Malcolm Le Maistre. Later known simply as Heron, the band recorded and toured until 1977.
In 1977/78, while still living in the Glen Row cottage near Innerleithen which had been the Incredible String Band's home and headquarters, Heron recorded songs which were eventually issued as The Glen Row Tapes. In 1979, he released a solo album on Casablanca Records, but then withdrew from performance for several years. In the 1990s he re-emerged with a new group, Mike Heron's Incredible Acoustic Band, and released the album Where The Mystics Swim.
In 1997 he reunited with Williamson for some concerts, and from 1999 to 2006 performed occasionally with a reformed version of the Incredible String Band.
He has also recorded a song with his daughter Georgia Seddon, based on a poem by John Burnside, for the Ballads of the Book album released in March 2007.
Website: www.mikeheron.co.uk
Spirit Beautiful
Mike Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vshailendra: tambura
P.R.Money: mridangam, moorsing
Heather Wood, Dr. StrangelyStrange: backing vocals
Glow little spark glow brightly in the embers of dying fire
See the people come run to their windows
What manner of lightning this
Oh spirit, spirit beautiful
Oh spirit, spirit beautiful
Swim little bubble swim lightly, bubble on a silent pool
See the people come run to their windows
What manner of ocean this
Grow little seed grow brightly resting in a nest of earth
See the people come run to their windows
What manner of lighning this
The lyrics of the song "Spirit Beautiful" by Mike Heron paint a picture of something miraculous and awe-inspiring happening before the eyes of people who witness them. The imagery used in the song creates a sense of wonder and amazement, urging listeners to pay attention to the beauty of the world around them.
The first verse speaks of a "little spark" glowing brightly in the embers of a dying fire. This spark is so bright that people come running to their windows to see what kind of lightning is striking. The second verse describes a bubble floating lightly on a silent pool, which draws the attention of onlookers. The final verse talks about a small seed that is growing brightly in a nest of earth, causing people to gather at their windows once again to behold this wonder.
The chorus of the song repeats the words "Oh spirit, spirit beautiful," as if in reverence for the mystery of these natural phenomena. The song seems to be a celebration of the magic that exists in the world around us, encouraging us to open our eyes and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day.
Overall, "Spirit Beautiful" is a poignant reminder that there is so much wonder and magic in the world that we often miss or take for granted. It encourages us to slow down and take notice of the amazing things happening all around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Glow little spark glow brightly in the embers of dying fire
Shine brightly like a spark in a dying fire
See the people come run to their windows
Attract the attention of onlookers
What manner of lightning this
What kind of amazing event is happening right now
Oh spirit, spirit beautiful
An exclamation for the beauty of the spirit
Swim little bubble swim lightly, bubble on a silent pool
Float gently on a quiet water surface like a bubble
What manner of ocean this
What kind of wonderful world is being observed
Grow little seed grow brightly resting in a nest of earth
Sprout and grow vigorously from a cozy earthy nest
What manner of lightning this
What kind of wonderful occurrence is taking place here
Contributed by Jacob E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lisa Dryman-Rice
Heard this song when I was 14 and it has inhabited a part of my brain ever since. Love it. Thank you for sharing this video.
Stäni Steinbock
Very nice version! I have the Smiling men with bad reputations and love it, but this is a really nice live version!
Mark Kubiak
He's got such raw talent and spirit. Amazing music from a master.
tedmacj7z
Love it! One of my favourite Mike Heron songs (of which there are many!)
Stäni Steinbock
I bought the LP way back in the early 70's and it's been one of my all time favourites since then! And of course this song is one of my favourites from that album - well, don't think there even are any non-favourites there...
Cumulus_jinglz
When i was very young (perhaps 17 years ago) my aunt sang this to me, and recorded her singing on a tape recorder. It made such an impact
Danny Dine
+jinglz Your aunt must be pretty cool.
Shailendra Vyakarnam
I have the LP for this song in its original - with a family friend and my mother playing their Veenas with the group! Great to see the band on youtube!
Tangled Hangers
Sounded great
Noz Barrell
Mike, Georgia, and who is the other guy? Mike's voice is so much better than a couple of years ago, Glad to see he's got his mojo back,