Throwing Snow, aka Ross Tones, first started working with Augustus Ghost, aka Hannah Cartwright, after she first arrived in England in 2008. Hannah comes from a songwriting background, having previously collaborated with Phaeleh as well as singing in the band Masakichi, while Ross possesses more electronic influences - his work as Throwing Snow has gained plaudits from all sides, manifested most recently through invitations to support Bonobo on his forthcoming tour, as well as Thom Yorke’s Atoms for Peace project. Together, the pair shared a mutual influence of the shadowy elements of folk and metal, and it is through these reference points that Snow Ghosts took shape.
They first found an outlet for their music through Black Acre Records in 2011 on the "Lost at Sea EP", and the pair have spent the subsequent two years compiling their debut album through short bursts of writing. Summer 2013 sees the release of the album "A Small Murmuration" on Houndstooth.
Thrice
Snow Ghosts Lyrics
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Hush now, your secret's safe, hush now
Toss your coins in to the well, once not twice but thrice
I paid the price, I paid the price
One night to end them all, I woke up in pieces, pieces on the floor
Hush now, your secret's safe
I paid the price, I paid the price
Hush now, your secret's safe, hush now
Toss your coins in to the well, once not twice but thrice
I paid the price, I paid the price
Hush now, your secret's safe
I paid the price, I paid the price
Black dog running by my side, keeping time This heart of mine
Black dog running by my side, keeping time This heart of mine
One night to end them all, I woke up in pieces, pieces on the floor
Hush now, your secret's safe, hush now
One night to end them all, I woke up in pieces, pieces on the floor
Hush now, your secret's safe, hush now
This heart of mine, I paid the price
This heart of mine, I paid the price
The lyrics of Snow Ghosts' song "Thrice" present a haunting and melancholic image of a personal crisis that seems to have shattered the singer's sense of self. The repeated line "one night to end them all, I woke up in pieces, pieces on the floor" suggests a traumatic event that has left the singer feeling fragmented and vulnerable. The repetition of the phrase "hush now, your secret's safe" may indicate a need for secrecy, possibly suggesting a situation that must be kept hidden from others.
The song's title and the line "toss your coins in the well, once not twice but thrice" could be interpreted as a reference to an old superstition where throwing three coins into a wishing well is believed to bring good luck. However, the darker lyrics suggest that this ritual has not brought the desired outcome and that the singer has paid a heavy cost for whatever they were hoping to achieve. The presence of the "black dog running by my side" further emphasizes the sense of foreboding and despair.
Overall, the lyrics of "Thrice" convey a sense of profound loss and emotional turmoil. The repeated phrases and images create a hypnotic and dreamlike quality that invites the listener to enter into the singer's world of pain and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
One night to end them all, I woke up in pieces, pieces on the floor
The singer experienced an intense event that broke them apart, leaving them scattered on the ground.
Hush now, your secret's safe, hush now
The singer reassures someone that their secret is safe and that they should keep quiet.
Toss your coins in to the well, once not twice but thrice
The singer advises throwing coins into a well three times, emphasizing the importance of repetition for better outcomes.
I paid the price, I paid the price
The artist acknowledges the cost of their actions and experiences.
Black dog running by my side, keeping time This heart of mine
The artist imagines a black dog accompanying them, keeping them in tune with their own heart.
This heart of mine, I paid the price
The singer acknowledges the cost they paid for following their heart and making certain choices.
Contributed by Daniel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.