Black Francis & Reid Paley recently recorded an album in a few days in Nash… Read Full Bio ↴Black Francis & Reid Paley recently recorded an album in a few days in Nashville.

"This album was recorded in two relatively short days this past September 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. All first takes.

We wrote the music for the songs in Paley’s apartment in Brooklyn over three afternoons when Francis was in New York for a three day run at Joe’s Pub. After which we each took half of the songs to finish off with lyrics, and Francis went off to meet what he sometimes likes to call “the old band” for another tour.

A few days later, we were recording at Jon Tiven’s studio in Nashville. We each sang lead on the songs we wrote lyrics for and sang backup on the others. We worked fast. Francis had Pixies shows each evening, so we had a curfew. Paley recalls finishing the lyrics to one tune literally a minute before cutting the vocal. The two of us on guitars, with legendary Muscle Shoals players David Hood on bass and Spooner Oldham on piano. Damn, those guys are good.

Hope you dig the vibe.”

- Black Francis

Crescent Moon
Paley & Francis Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Crescent moon above my head
Shines a light on you
Arrow in my hand will find
Peace behind the tree

If you have a baby
I will see you through
If you have no lover

I can do that too

Out on the road
Your choice are no
Is it life or death?
Is it fresh or stone?

Fresh or stone
Life or death
Crescent moon
Over my head

I won't let the big black bear
Eat your tiny heart
I won't let the tiger's claws
Tear your love apart

Out on the road
Your choice are no
Is it life or death?
Is it fresh or stone?

Fresh or stone
Life or death
Crescent moon
Over my head

Crescent moon
Over my head

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Paley & Francis's song, Crescent Moon, appear to be about a protective force watching over someone, with the singer offering to support them in a number of ways. The opening line, "Crescent moon above my head, shines a light on you," creates an image of someone standing in the moonlight, perhaps helping to provide a guiding light for the person they are addressing. The lyrics go on to say that, "Arrow in my hand will find peace behind the tree," which could be interpreted as the singer being ready to defend the person they are talking to, and offering them a safe space to rest.

The next verses focus on the singer's willingness to protect their love interest, even against formidable foes. They say, "I won't let the big black bear, eat your tiny heart/ I won't let the tiger's claws, tear your love apart," suggesting that they are willing to be a powerful force in their lover's life and to protect them from anything that might harm them.

The chorus repeats the phrases, "Fresh or stone/Life or death/Crescent moon/Over my head," like a mantra, perhaps invoking the protective elements of the moon and symbolically offering strength and guidance to the person they are addressing.

Line by Line Meaning

Crescent moon above my head
The singer sees the crescent moon in the sky

Shines a light on you
The moon is illuminating the singer's surroundings and drawing attention to someone or something else

Arrow in my hand will find Peace behind the tree
The singer is equipped to protect someone or find a safe place for them

If you have a baby
The artist is offering help to someone with a child

I will see you through
The artist will support and help this person

If you have no lover
The singer is offering romantic companionship to someone

I can do that too
The singer is willing and able to be a romantic partner for someone, as well as a friend and supporter

Out on the road
The artist and someone else are traveling

Your choice are no
The person the artist is addressing has limited options or control in their situation

Is it life or death?
The situation is dire and may involve a risk to someone's life

Is it fresh or stone?
The situation is uncertain and could go either way