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Lanterna Lucis Viriditatis (expanded)

by Stone Breath

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    Double CD set in special cardstock 'hollerpak' covers - contains full notes and lyrics as well as extra songs not available for digital download.

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1.
I can see the butterflies as they seemed to me: more colors than imagined. More colors than a dream. I can see them flying, so easily, just like drifting bubbles floating on the breeze. It seemed to me that there were thousands drifting through the air. Now it seems that they're so few and painted by despair. Memory can prove false or weave into dreams, but my life has taught me that nothing is what it seems. I remember scaled wings; fragile shining blue. They were pulsing like a heartbeat - a dreamlike ghostly glow. Wings of blue flame, deeper than the skies. So like the sun's reflection shining in Death's eyes.
2.
I walk on slowly through the night, seeing by the light of your eyes dancing 'cross the path so silently, leading me onward 'cross the leaves. Every man I've seen has worn a mask, but you face is honest to its task - a flickering flame to burn away the lies. I see by the light of your eyes. I see by the light of your eyes - the shadow wraiths dancing in the night - singing all their songs to frighten me - but I welcome their company.
3.
You stare with eyes stitched closed. You speak with swollen tongue. You hear the voice of god singing the Song of Songs. Your breath is candle smoke. Your words: the wings of doves. Your dreams are autumn leaves falling from above. Your faith is incense sweet burning with holy fire. Your blood is like spring rain falling upon the blade.
4.
5.
My eyes rise from the horizon, but it's dark and I see no stars. The silvered moon too soon will draw my gaze before I close my eyes. I cross my arms, free from harm, but I know that I am dying. And by walking the way of green Osiris and Horus' holy eye: I have found the hidden path. I have heard a hidden song. And by following St. John's head and by St. Francis' prayer: I have heard a hidden song. I have found a hidden path. The bony hill is cold and still but holy water fills the cup. And new green moss grows on the cross and a budding sprig grows from its side.
6.
7.
And on his breast a bloody cross he bore; The dear remembrance of his dying Lord, For whose sake that badge he wore, And dead (as living) ever Him adored. Upon his shield the like was scored. Sovereign hope in His help he had. Faithful true in deed and word, But of his cheer seemed solemn sad.
8.
9.
10.
A ouija board between us; A scrying bowl at our feet; Runes all around the room; And leaves all in the tea. And you knew the face of gods But you did not know me. And I drew the sigils But I did not know thee. The ouija board is dusty. The scrying bowl is cracked. The runes have lost their meaning. The teacup is empty. Five-hundred miles between us. Tears under my feet. Letters scattered 'round the room And leaves float in the tea.
11.
Estampie 05:19
12.
Moongazer 02:50
I am bowed on my knees - at your feet - in the light of your blessing. 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 fluttering - deep inside me cells divide on endlessly.
13.
The lantern of the Greening Light Will shine upon the path so bright And show us ways we thought were lost Through leaf and dew and vine and moss. And though the heartless and the false, Who do not feel the seasons' pulse, Will claim that we're both lost and wrong To follow Green Light and bird song: We'll hold the Lantern as our guide To cross both time and river wide Until such time we realize: The Light doth shine from our own eyes! When my heart is cleaved like an apple Upon your blood-gilt blade: Cross my hands upon my chest; Cross my feet that I may rest. When you light the candles around my grave And around my body cold: Then raise the steal above your head, Chant with God upon your breath, And bring your blade down on my neck! The desert storms with songs of God. The locust swarms on crop and sod. Candles drip their wax on sand With flames by black wings fanned. And just beyond the candles' dance; The shadows held in flickering trance. A subtle glow, a stranger sight: The Lantern of the Greening Light. By rising sun or shining star, Those who can see where they are, Will walk behind the Lantern's Light And know the path they walk is right.
14.
And we shall drink your blood as wine Lord of the Green, Lord of the Vine. Anointed by the Moon's Lady - O let us give our gifts to Thee: A lacen-leaf shirt to wear when you're dead, Sewn from pine needle and cobweb thread; A crown of thorns to grace your head. Though your skin is green, Your blood runs red. And as you're nailed all upon the tree, A gift of blood you've given me: To see winter turn into spring And know that you'll rise again to sing. Blood and soil lit by Lantern Green: Let these three be our Trinity. Our holy water from rain or stream. The woven-vine divinity.
15.
O dream on, you grey skies And bless this path with tears and rain. Bless this path with fallen leaves. You'll never come this way again. No one sees the things that you see in the skies. No one hears your songs. No one hears your cries. The footprints on the path are no ones' but your own. And all the things that make you happy Are dying one by one. In sleep you know, in dreams you see, But as you wake the answers slip away. The flowers fall; Winter comes too soon; For only Death is in eternal bloom. Bless this grave with rose petals - You'll never pass this way again.
16.
Out damn spot, out I said, yet my hands are stained red. Apparitions come to me nightly For to taunt me in waking dreams. And when the hurlyburly's done, When the battle's lost and won, Whether I am here or gone, The pale shades will whisper on. "Sleep no more," is what they said. It seems to me that Sleep is dead. I've murdered her gentle soul And bear the witness on my hands. And my words angels did sing, But alas, there's blood upon my wings. Though angels soar over Hell, It was the brightest star that fell. Fallen as I have, it seems, To my door I've called felled trees, Chanting in their march of mud: "Blood will have blood. Blood will have blood." It's tomorrow's light for which I pray, Though it's creeping day to day, To show the way to dusty death... And "out brief candle" be my last breath.
17.
Is that water in your eyes? Is it sand in your eyes? Is it wind in your eyes? Or my footprints in their stride? I saw the rain falling from my sister. I saw my mother with pools in her eyes. I saw my lover and the sorrows I've caused her Flowing like a river from somewhere inside. It's a well-worn path, Yet each step I find, So starkly defined In its mis-stepped way. Each footstep I've taken, So sadly mistaken, Has tread a harrowed path of pain. Deep in the forest, So deep in these sorrows, I'm lost and afraid And the darkness won't part. O Mother Earth, O Sister Earth, Sweet Lover Earth, I've blackened your heart. Each footprint I've made, Both bloody and tainted, Has thoroughly weighed Like Hell's debt on thee. The greatest sin Of all my grave sins: You've walked this path just to be beside me.
18.
I went out to the woods to walk the other day. I fell on my knees and prayed. Lord I prayed. O I prayed. I just fell on y knees and prayed. The birds were singing from high up in the trees. How sweetly they did sing! O the sang, O they sang, "It's a good day to die today." Die today. Die today. It's a good day to die today. I said to myself as I lay down by the stream, "It's a good day to die today." Die today. Die today. It's a good day to die today. The brown of the bark and the deep green of the leaves Fell like a shroud over me. Over me. Over me. It fell like a shroud over me. My days are like the grass, or like the morning flower: if one sharp blast blows o'er the field it withers in an hour.
19.
There's songs amongst the windblown sand; there's music in the night. They're singing from the moutaintop: All will be alright. There's notes hung high upon the stars. The drumming rain keeps time. The scrape of bows and pluck of chords on strings that never bind.
20.
I can see the butterflies as they seemed to me: more colors than imagined. More colors than a dream. I can see them flying, so easily, just like drifting bubbles floating on the breeze. It seemed to me that there were thousands drifting through the air. Now it seems that they're so few and painted by despair. Memory can prove false or weave into dreams, but my life has taught me that nothing is what it seems. I remember scaled wings; fragile shining blue. They were pulsing like a heartbeat - a dreamlike ghostly glow. Wings of blue flame, deeper than the skies. So like the sun's reflection shining in Death's eyes.
21.
A black feather's fallen And landed at my feet. It shows the wild-grown path Is better than the street. The Witch-Tree has fallen, Its trunk across the road; But you must bear the curse If I must bear the load. The scarecrow has vanished Into the tassled corn. I'll follow him this evening. You'll come tomorrow morn. And when the path is cut for you You'll claim it as your own. I sleep among the maple keys While you reap what I've sown. An empty bottle has fallen And landed in the dirt. I've filled it with these words of mine. I've filled it with your curse.
22.
Great-Grandmother read the leaves And said that you'd love me. The Long Forgotten Friend Open to page forty-three. Abraxacatabax bless me and thee. On Christ's grave grows three flowers Which bloom on every hour. The first is for the kind. The second calls the rule. The third heals all the bleeding and the wounds. We forbade Old Trotter Head From home and bedstead And bound him to the fence that binds the rolling hills. I see your heart and star shine in our will. You were born under a sign; A hex drawn so divine In purpose and meaning By hands as old as Time. You're the heart and star scribed in those lines.
23.
24.
The lantern of the Greening Light Will shine upon the path so bright And show us ways we thought were lost Through leaf and dew and vine and moss. And though the heartless and the false, Who do not feel the seasons' pulse, Will claim that we're both lost and wrong To follow Green Light and bird song: We'll hold the Lantern as our guide To cross both time and river wide Until such time we realize: The Light doth shine from our own eyes! When my heart is cleaved like an apple Upon your blood-gilt blade: Cross my hands upon my chest; Cross my feet that I may rest. When you light the candles around my grave And around my body cold: Then raise the steal above your head, Chant with God upon your breath, And bring your blade down on my neck! The desert storms with songs of God. The locust swarms on crop and sod. Candles drip their wax on sand With flames by black wings fanned. And just beyond the candles' dance; The shadows held in flickering trance. A subtle glow, a stranger sight: The Lantern of the Greening Light. By rising sun or shining star, Those who can see where they are, Will walk behind the Lantern's Light And know the path they walk is right.

about

Stone Breath, by Lantern's light were:

timeMOTHeye: banjo, sitar, voice, drones, water, bell, guitar, motheart, harmonium, dulcimer, oud, dumbek, autoharp, catfish guitar, ramyaj

Prydwyn: flute, voice, whistles, dumbek, guitar, chant, tambourine, dulcimer, chimes

Sarada: voice, reed organ, ramyaj, dulcimer, drones

with

RA Campbell: bass on "Solomon's Song"

Fit & Limo: various instruments and vocals on "Eyes of Death"

and on the live tracks:

Erik Wivinus: guitars, witchfinder dulcimer
Matt Zaun: drums, percussion, sounds


tracks 1-13 are the original "Lanterna Lucis Viriditatis" album.
The rest of the material is from various compilations, limited edition CDrs, 7" eps, and a live performance recorded on WMBR radio in Boston MA.

credits

released October 31, 2000

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about

Stone Breath Red Lion, Pennsylvania

Stone Breath is not new. It is cracked. Broken. Imperfect. Hidden. Weathered by the seasons.

We sing of ghosts and of forgotten paths through forest and fallow field.

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