The name Mirabilis is Latin for something that is wonderful, miraculous, or unusual. The two women see their musical union as an amazing and unique experience and the name embodies those sentiments. Dru and Summer are the core members of Mirabilis, but they use the project as an avenue to bring in other like-minded artists as guest performers to create something that is extraordinary and unique.
In 2001, Mirabilis made their debut on Projekt Records' holiday compilation, Excelsis, Volume 3 with their rendition of the Spanish carol, "Riu Riu Chiu." In December of 2003, the band's first release, a limited edition 7-inch self-titled EP was released on Fossil Dungeon. They quickly followed up with a full-length debut CD, Pleiades, in 2004 on the Middle Pillar Presents label. Pleiades blends together the beautiful voices of Summer and Dru as well as guest vocalists Regeana Morris (of The Changelings), Katy Belle (of Matson Belle), and Rebecca Colleen Miller.
In 2008, Mirabilis returns with the second full length album, Sub Rosa. Released in partnership between Middle Pillar Presents and Projekt, the release has a unique intensity and style, showcasing a broader range of instruments and styles while still exploring familiar classical and ethereal ground. Vocals continue to shine as the dominant instrumentation but Dru and Summer also explore a variety of new lush instruments and still remain true to their own unique genre.
Summer Bowman is half of acclaimed gothic/darkwave duo the Machine in the Garden. Summer has performed roles as both a singer and songwriter and has also become involved in the recording studio engineering, mixing, and producing. In addition to these projects, Summer performs with the Austin Civic Chorus, the featured chorus of the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
Dru Allen has also put her stamp on the ethereal world, having co-founded the band This Ascension. The group blends standard indie rock with tribal elements and a number of vocal styles including opera, medieval, and traditional folk. In addition, Dru performed in the University of California Santa Barbara Women's Ensemble every quarter for four years while working towards her degree in Classical Latin and Greek.
Discography:
2003 - Mirabilis (EP)
2004 - Pleiades
2008 - Sub Rosa
An Epitaph
Mirabilis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How I lie here, sometime a mighty knight;
The end of joy and all prosperitee
Is death at last, thorough his course and might:
After the day there cometh the dark night,
For though the daye be never so long,
At last the bells ringeth to evensong.
The lyrics of Mirabilis's song An Epitaph are a poignant reminder of the inevitability of death that awaits all living beings. The opening line, "O mortal folk, you may behold and see," is addressed to the living who may visit the tomb of the deceased knight, who was once mighty in battle, but is now reduced to a lifeless body lying in the grave. The persona of the knight is a symbol of human transience, reminding the listener that death is the ultimate end to all prosperity and joy.
The second line, "How I lie here, sometime a mighty knight," emphasizes the transitory nature of power and fame or any worldly possessions in the face of death, as they cannot protect one from it. The last two lines of the stanza, "For though the daye be never so long, at last the bells ringeth to evensong" highlight the perpetual cycle of life and death, where the end of every day is evening, and with every evening, the inevitable death draws near.
In summary, the lyrics of the song An Epitaph by Mirabilis speaks of the universality of death, that despite one’s status and power, every being must succumb to it eventually.
Line by Line Meaning
O mortal folk, you may behold and see
Listen, my fellow humans, and witness my final resting place
How I lie here, sometime a mighty knight;
Here lies a once powerful knight, now at rest
The end of joy and all prosperitee
Death marks the end of happiness and success
Is death at last, thorough his course and might:
Death comes at last, inevitable and powerful
After the day there cometh the dark night,
Just as day turns to night, life turns to death
For though the daye be never so long,
No matter how long one's life may seem
At last the bells ringeth to evensong.
The end will come, and with it the tolling of the funeral bells
Contributed by Zachary F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.