In the mid ’70s she migrated to the San Francisco Bay Area, becoming a third degree Priestess in New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn, and was heavily involved in the West Coast Craft Tradition and the California revival of the Ordo Templi Orientis. With these and many other organizations Eaton shared her knowledge of acting and stagecraft— writing and directing dramatic rituals and presenting workshops on Acting as Magick.
She contributed to many of the early ADF rituals and published material, and to the music and lyrics of the songs on the album, Avalon is Rising! Her eclectic magical background ranges from Golden Dawn and O.T.O. material to Wiccan and Druidic styles, and she has presented lectures, rituals and performances at Neo-Pagan events. Her Coven WillowStar has been active since 1986. She is pursuing studies in Santeria, and in 2005 was crowned Priestess of Ochun in a traditional Cuban Ilé. Eaton remains a professional singer, best known for her rendition of the song “Air” in the hit Broadway musical Hair, and sings the blues professionally.
Air
Sally Eaton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hello! carbon monoxide
The air, the air
Is everywhere
Breath deep, while you sleep
Breath deep
Save me, nicotine lung steam
Incense, incense
Is in the air
Breath deep, while you sleep
Breath deep
Cataclysmic ectoplasm
Fallout atomic orgasm
Vapor and fume
At the stone of my tomb
Breathing like a sullen perfume
Eating at the stone of my tomb
Welcome! sulphur dioxide
Hello! carbon monoxide
The air, the air
Is everywhere
Breath deep, while you sleep
Breath deep
Deep, deep, deep, cough cough
The song "Air" by Sally Eaton/Melba Moore/Shelley Plimpton is a psychedelic and surreal look at the presence of air and the toxins that can be present in it that we breathe every day. The first lines of the song, "Welcome! sulphur dioxide, hello! carbon monoxide" highlight the pollution that we often ignore in our daily lives. The repetition of "the air, the air, is everywhere" serves as a reminder that even though we can't see it, the air is always present around us.
The chorus of the song encourages the listener to breathe deeply, even while they sleep. This is a nod to the fact that even when we are not consciously thinking about the air we breathe, it still affects us. The next few lines reference alcohol and nicotine, both of which can affect our breathing and our overall health. The mention of incense being "in the air" shifts the focus to the idea of spirituality and the impact that the air we breathe can have on our mental and emotional well-being.
The second half of the song takes an even darker turn, referencing cataclysmic ectoplasm, fallout atomic orgasm, and vapor and fume. These lines seem to embrace the idea that the air we breathe can be both beautiful and deadly. The final line of the song, "eating at the stone of my tomb" points to the idea that the air we breathe can ultimately have a lasting impact on our physical bodies long after we are gone.
Overall, "Air" is a complex and thought-provoking song that asks the listener to think more deeply about something that is often taken for granted: the air we breathe.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome! sulphur dioxide
Greetings, toxic gas that smells like rotten eggs and can irritate the peepers and respiratory system.
Hello! carbon monoxide
Hey there, poisonous gas that's odorless, tasteless, and can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even death.
The air, the air
The mixture of gases present in Earth's atmosphere, which is vital to life and covers the planet like a protective blanket.
Is everywhere
Can be found all around us, from urban areas to remote places, from high altitudes to underwater environments.
Breath deep, while you sleep
Take a deep inhalation of air through your nostrils while you slumber, which can help oxygenate your body and relax your mind.
Breath deep
Inhale as much air as you can, filling up your lungs with oxygen and other gases necessary for cellular respiration.
Bless you, alcohol bloodstream
Congratulations, ethanol that intoxicated your bloodstream and makes you feel different emotions, behaviors, and perceptions.
Save me, nicotine lung steam
Deliver me, addictive stimulant that stimulates your brain and releases adrenaline, dopamine, and other chemicals into your bloodstream.
Incense, incense
Fragrant substance that's burned to produce a pleasant odor and symbolize spirituality and devotion in many cultures and religions.
Is in the air
Can be perceived by your olfactory system, which detects different scents and sends signals to your brain, triggering memories and emotions.
Cataclysmic ectoplasm
Disastrous and supernatural substance that refers to ghosts, spirits, or other paranormal phenomena that may haunt or interact with the living.
Fallout atomic orgasm
Radioactive fallout that results from a nuclear explosion, which causes widespread contamination and destruction of life and environment.
Vapor and fume
Gaseous forms of liquids or solids that can be produced by heating or evaporating substances, such as water, gasoline, or chemicals.
At the stone of my tomb
Near or upon the material that covers or commemorates my mortal remains, which may be a natural or artificial object, such as rock, metal, or wood.
Breathing like a sullen perfume
Exhaling air that has a gloomy, melancholic, or depressing quality, as if it were a fragrance or essence that reflects my inner state of mind.
Eating at the stone of my tomb
Corroding or eroding the material that surrounds or supports my dead body, as if time, weather, or other natural forces were having their way with it.
Deep, deep, deep, cough cough
Inhaling more air than you can handle, which can provoke a reflexive and sudden expulsion of air from your lungs, accompanied by a distinctive sound.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind