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
Moon
Mirabilis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When thy fallen stars appear
When in lawn of fire array'd
Sov'reign of yon powder'd sphere
To thee I chant at close of day
Beneath, O maiden Moon!
Thy ray
Pregnant with celestial juice
On silver wing thy diamond stream
Gives what summer hours produce
While view'd impearl'd earth's rich inlay
Beneath, O maiden Moon!
Thy ray
Glad, pale Cynthian wine I sip
Breathed the flow'ry leaves among
Draughts delicious wet my lip
Drown'd in nectar drunk my song
While tuned to Philomel
The lay
Beneath, O maiden Moon!
Thy ray
Dew, that od'rous ointment yields
Sweets, that western winds disclose
Bathing spring's more purpled fields
Soft 's the band that winds the rose
While o'er thy myrtled lawns I stray
Beneath, O maiden Moon!
Thy ray
The lyrics in Mirabilis's "Moon" are essentially a lyrical invocation of the moon and its influence on the world around us. The singer seems to be addressing the moon itself, praising it for its beauty and power. The first stanza speaks to a "modest tressèd maid" who appears when the moon's "fallen stars" come out. The singer is perhaps using this description to refer to the moon's reflection on a body of water, or perhaps the way in which its light falls through the branches of a tree. The imagery of the moon as a "Sov'reign of yon powder'd sphere" suggests a sense of grandeur and authority.
The second stanza continues this theme of the moon's power, describing it as "throned in sapphired ring supreme," and "pregnant with celestial juice." The reference to a diamond stream suggests perhaps the bright pathway left by the moon's reflection on the water. The singer notes that this stream "gives what summer hours produce," which could be a reference to the way in which the moon's light nourishes the plants and brings about the bounty of summer.
The final stanza describes the singer enjoying a pale, Cynthian wine while listening to the song of the Philomel (a nightingale). The reference to "Dew, that od'rous ointment yields" suggests perhaps the fragrance of the flowers illuminated by the moon's light. Overall, the song is a beautiful and evocative homage to the power and beauty of the moon.
Line by Line Meaning
Thee too, modest tressèd maid
Addressing the Moon as a modest and pure maiden
When thy fallen stars appear
Referring to the shooting stars that appear when the Moon is visible
When in lawn of fire array'd
Describing the Moon as appearing to be surrounded by a light that resembles flames
Sov'reign of yon powder'd sphere
Referring to the Moon as the ruler of the sky
To thee I chant at close of day
Singing to the Moon at the end of the day
Beneath, O maiden Moon!
Admiring the Moon's beauty from below
Thy ray
Referring to the light emitted by the Moon
Throned in sapphired ring supreme
Describing the Moon as being set in a blue sky and being the most important object in its vicinity
Pregnant with celestial juice
Attributing to the Moon the power to control the tides and to affect life on Earth
On silver wing thy diamond stream
Describing the Moon's light as flowing like a stream, reflecting off of its silver surface
Gives what summer hours produce
Referring to the Moon as the giver of light during the summer months
While view'd impearl'd earth's rich inlay
Viewing the Earth's beauty by the light of the Moon
Glad, pale Cynthian wine I sip
Sipping wine in honor of the Moon, who was also known as Cynthia in mythology
Breathed the flow'ry leaves among
Enjoying the scent of flowers around the area
Draughts delicious wet my lip
Drinking wine that tantalizes the tastebuds
Drown'd in nectar drunk my song
Feeling intoxicated by the wine and letting the music take over
While tuned to Philomel
Listening to the nightingale's song
The lay
Referring to the song or music being played
Dew, that od'rous ointment yields
Referring to the sweet-smelling moisture on the grass
Sweets, that western winds disclose
Referring to the sweet aroma carried by the winds from the West
Bathing spring's more purpled fields
Observing the lush and colorful fields being moistened by the dew
Soft 's the band that winds the rose
Describing how delicate and gentle the breeze is as it touches the roses
While o'er thy myrtled lawns I stray
Strolling over the Moon's grassy terrain, dotted with myrtle shrubs
Contributed by Aaron T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Astrofrank
Thank you for uploading in these times! I bought the album when it was published and like it very much.
Renato Mallei
vi adoro,vi amo,meravigliose creature dispensatrici di gioia
John McDonagh
Appropriate timing after the blue moon last night! ;-) Very cool to see you both here!
Renato Mallei
musica che nutre l' anima
Gianpaolo
so much love