“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.
Sword Baptismal
Stone Breath Lyrics
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You speak with swollen tongue
You hear the voice of God singing The Song of Songs
Your breath is candle smoke
Your word the wings of doves
Your dreams are autumn leaves falling from high above
Your faith is incense sweet burning with Holy Fire
Your blood is like spring rain falling upon the blade
The lyrics to Stone Breath's “Sword Baptismal” delve into a mystical understanding of religious praise intertwined with the warrior archetype. The song appears to describe someone who has undergone a transformative experience, perhaps a spiritual awakening that has allowed them to connect more deeply with God. This is evident in the opening lines, “You stare with eyes stitched close / You speak with swollen tongue / You hear the voice of God singing The Song of Songs”. The reference to “eyes stitched close” could mean the person has closed themselves off to the outside world, choosing instead to focus inward on their spiritual journey. Their “swollen tongue” might suggest that they are struggling to articulate their experiences, which are too profound and complex to be easily put into words.
The rest of the lyrics build on this theme, with a series of metaphors that evoke the power of faith and devotion. The reference to “breath as candle smoke” and “word as wings of doves” speak to the ethereal nature of religious experience. The metaphor of “dreams as autumn leaves falling from high above” suggests a sense of letting go and surrender, allowing oneself to be carried by the divine. Finally, the idea of “blood like spring rain falling upon the blade” is a powerful reference to both the blood spilled in battle and the blood of Christ shed for humanity's salvation. Overall, "Sword Baptismal" is a song that celebrates the transformative power of faith, and how it can imbue even the most violent aspects of life with a sense of sacredness.
Line by Line Meaning
You stare with eyes stitched close
You look deeply with unwavering gaze and complete concentration
You speak with swollen tongue
You express with difficulty and discomfort as if restrained and struggling
You hear the voice of God singing The Song of Songs
You discern the divine presence and receive guidance from the highest authority
Your breath is candle smoke
Your exhalation is light, gentle, and transient like the flame of a candle
Your word the wings of doves
Your utterance is pure, graceful, and soothing like the wings of doves in flight
Your dreams are autumn leaves falling from high above
Your aspirations are numerous, fleeting, and unpredictable like the falling of leaves in the wind
Your faith is incense sweet burning with Holy Fire
Your belief is strong, fragrant, and inspiring like the smoke of incense burning with divine intensity
Your blood is like spring rain falling upon the blade
Your life force is vital, nourishing, and sacrificing like the rain of spring that falls on the sword that has been baptized and blessed for battle
Contributed by Mia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.