“Before there were many, there were few” - So starts the chapter about Stone Breath in Jeanette Leech’s book, “Seasons They Change: The Story of Acid and Psychedelic Folk” - and so it was back in 1995 when Stone Breath started. The 1960s had come and gone (the revival of the 60s and 70s folk bands was yet to come), the post-industrial scene’s flirtation with folk music had swayed to neo-classical or art-song, and the modern psychedelic scene was far more interested in Krautrock’s burning electricity than it was in acoustic instruments. Stone Breath, however, remained firmly rooted in folk music.
Wood, skin, bone, bronze, steel, gut. These are the materials of acoustic instruments. Materials of the earth. Stone Breath wanted to make earth music. Timeless music. Music that could be made without electricity. Music that could be played in field or forest (or even in lonely graveyards as was the case in the early days of the band). Stone Breath have held true to this vision over 9 albums, several eps, various compilation appearances, and almost 20 years.
Having remained a three-piece for most of the band’s life, recent years have seen the core band adding more members. The sound has moved gradually from sparse Syd Barrett meets Nick Drake ghost-songs to a much fuller sound - often incorporating layers of vocal harmonies and intricate instrumentation ranging from guitar and banjo to Middle Eastern instruments to homemade lyres, dulcitars, and more.
Members of Stone Breath backed Tom Rapp (of 60s/70s acid folk touchstone, Pearls Before Swine) for most of his comeback shows and recorded with Tom on his “Journal of the Plague Year” album. Stone Breath played most of the legendary Terrastock festivals sharing the bill with such acts as Tom Rapp, Country Joe, Sonic Youth, Acid Mothers Temple, The Bevis Frond, Kendra Smith, and many more. In 2001, Stone Breath conceived and helped organize The Poor Minstrels of Song and the Temple of the Moon tour - a traveling festival of acid/psychedelic/experimental acoustic music.
After initially splitting in 2006, the band reformed in 2009, releasing several new albums and performing live.
Moongazer
Stone Breath Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'll rise through the skies- open eyed- to your cradle-crescent body
Moongazer- Lucifer- Lightbringer- heavenly Black Madonna
Pale moonlight through the night- incense rise- through the mists of your wisdom
And the leaves turn to greet you- wet with dew- Christened by the blood of morning
Though I am still, my heart is thundering- deep inside me- cells divide on endlessly
The lyrics of Stone Breath's song "Moongazer" are rich in symbolism and spirituality. The song seems to describe the singer's deep reverence and worship of a divine feminine entity, embodied in the moon, the light-bringing Lucifer, and the Black Madonna. The singer is humbly bowing on their knees before this entity, basking in its blessing and spiritual enlightenment. There is a sense of ascension and transcendence in the lyrics, as the singer declares they will rise through the skies with open eyes, towards the cradle-crescent body of this divine entity.
The lyrics also describe the natural world awakening and paying homage to this entity, as the pale moonlight illuminates and the incense rises, carrying the mist of wisdom. The leaves of plants turn towards the entity, wet with dew, symbolizing their rebirth and christening by the blood of morning. There is a palpable sense of awe and wonder in the imagery described, as the music and vocals evoke a hypnotic and entrancing atmosphere. The last line of the lyrics, "Though I am still, my heart is thundering - deep inside me - cells divide on endlessly" seems to convey the profound impact of this divine entity on the singer's whole being, causing a sense of inner transformation and renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
I am bowed on my knees- at your feet- in the light of your blessing
I humbly submit to your power and grace, seeking your favor and guidance.
And I'll rise through the skies- open eyed- to your cradle-crescent body
I will ascend to the heavens with eyes wide open, with a reverence for your crescent-shaped form.
Moongazer- Lucifer- Lightbringer- heavenly Black Madonna
You are known by many names, including Moongazer, Lucifer, Lightbringer, and the heavenly Black Madonna.
Pale moonlight through the night- incense rise- through the mists of your wisdom
As the moon casts a pale light over the night, the fragrance of burning incense rises in homage to your divine wisdom.
And the leaves turn to greet you- wet with dew- Christened by the blood of morning
The leaves of the earth turn towards you, covered in dew, and baptized by the life-giving blood of morning.
Though I am still, my heart is thundering- deep inside me- cells divide on endlessly
Although outwardly calm, my heart pulses with awe and wonder at your divine power, while on a cellular level, I am constantly renewing my sense of connection to you.
Contributed by Caden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.