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The Shepherdess and the Bone​-​White Bird

by Stone Breath

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Professionally replicated 2CD audio set in jewel case. Includes the full "Shepherdess..." album plus an entire EXTRA album, not available for digital download, by The Forest Beggars (with Stone Breath), "Virgo, Mater, Domina."

    CD comes with full color illuminated/illustrated lyric booklet.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Shepherdess and the Bone-White Bird via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days

      $14 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Vinyl LP includes full-color illuminated/illustrated lyric booklet. LP contains a different version of the album than is available for digital download.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Shepherdess and the Bone-White Bird via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days

      $12 USD or more 

     

  • Contains the CD version of "The Shepherdess and the Bone-White Bird," and entire extra CD album ("Virgo, Mater, Domina" by The Forest Beggars with Stone Breath), plus a special 5" vinyl record including 2 songs unavailable elsewhere. ("Virgo, Mater, Domina" and the 5" record contain songs that are not available for digital download)

    Also includes:

    • Booklet featuring lyrics, info, and full psychedelic illuminations for “The Shepherdess and the Bone-White Bird.”
    • Lyric/info pamphlet for “Virgo, Mater, Domina”
    • Art/inserts/lyrics for 5″ record

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Shepherdess and the Bone-White Bird via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days

      $23 USD or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 40 Stone Breath releases available on Bandcamp and save 15%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Greys and Orphans, Tam Lin, The Witch Cloud, The Witch Mother, The Sly Bold Reynardine, PANDEMONIUM, Death is the Mother of Us All, Belsnickel, and 32 more. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $250.75 USD or more (15% OFF)

     

1.
I heard the fingers of the dead Clawing from inside my head, And I wept as fever burned Until I saw the bone-white bird. Black Maria brought it here To calm my heart and ease my fear And keep me hidden from their eyes; Soulless, still, and full of lies. O behold the bone-white bird! It answers to Her holy word And stands guard for hours, still, Blessed in its bone-white quill. And Black Maria is blessed too. She brings this bird, so brave and true. Still, I weep beneath its wings, And ever shall the birdsong ring!
2.
If I saw your face in the bubbling stream, Would I see your eyes clod-streaked in the skies? O Mother why do I sit in tears Wishing I could hear your voice in my ear? If I held your hand in the still water, Would you tell to me the secrets of your leaves? O Mother please! Lead me through the trees; Thistle, briar, and thorn. Let me sleep 'til morn cradled in your arms. If I placed your heart, shining like a lamp, Would you light the way from darkness into day? O Mother see! Who can comfort me? It is only Thee! Ever shall it be, Your son at your knee! I look into the well and see your rippled form. I look into the sky and see a gathering storm. O Mother when will you call to me? Your son waits here for Thee amongst your fallen leaves.
3.
The dreamer rides above the cracked sky With sword of sun and cold moon fire; To hold the world within his cloak Of silver threads now taking root. Now twist together. Now split the tower; As lightning strike or seed to flower. The Holy Ones shall have their dreams And give the world its prophecy; Then wake to walk their chosen path And see the end. And lift the mask. Now twist together. Now split the tower; As lightning strike or seed to flower. So bow below with opened eye - Arch turtle-back beneath the sky - And see the world within a tear - And in a breath: A thousand years. Now twist together. Now split the tower; As lightning strike or seed to flower.
4.
Sound the hymn of the birds Circled in their halo ring. Above your head, in the sky, Hawks cry and sparrows sing. Feathered wings lift them high All through the skies And we see, you and I, Reflected in their eyes. We pace ‘round and ‘round All on the hallowed ground, Making circles of our own Walking in the setting sun. We’ve begun to see patterns Woven through our lives. Silver threads trail behind Sewing soul to mind. The sound of our feet Echoes through the graves below. Dust and bones hear the drones Of the songs cycling above. And the passed join in song And a stitch is sewn. And we feel the spider’s web Twisting ‘round the dead. Day to night. Death to life. By dream or waking sight Seasons pulse in blinking eye Or by the Lantern’s light. See the ripples spreading out In the holy well. Hear the water on the stone. Hear the prayer finding home. Vine on branch. Flame on wick. Finger upon lips. Feet on sand. Moon on sky. Silently we stand. Morning stars rise and fall Far above us all. Night to day - vigil stay - Until we hear the birds.
5.
O the rain is falling down Upon the ground from up on high And the fire is leaping up To form a wheel upon the sky. The thunder rolls an endless prayer. Lightning cracks the midnight air. O the wheel spins all around Encircling the feathered wings. And the chants twist all around. And the holy storm still sings. The thunder rolls an endless prayer. Lightning cracks the midnight air. See four faces on every head: Oxen, eagle, lion, and man. Cloaked they are by folded wings And lifted up by folded hands. The thunder rolls an endless prayer. Lightning cracks the midnight air. The hand makes the mark. The eye sees the sign. Faces search the sky For the wheel that sets the time. O, see them burn! The fire is filled with eyes! O the angels sing. And the people sigh. And the lions roar. And the eagles cry. O, see them burn! The fire is filled with eyes! O the wheels spin, spark, and blaze While I sit shivering in fear With Her name upon my tongue And strange sounds within my ear. The thunder rolls an endless prayer. Lightning cracks the midnight air. The light congeals, the flower blooms. Grace blossoms upon the sky. The wheel dissolves into a form: A blessing greets my tired eyes. The thunder rolls an endless prayer. Lightning cracks the midnight air. The Shepherdess is silent shape Draws leaves from the old dry branch - And draws the fear from my chest - And leaves her name upon my breath. The thunder rolls an endless prayer. Hail Mary of the midnight air!

credits

released October 31, 2009

written and performed by Stone Breath, beneath the fiery wheels.

voices, banjo, mandocello, guimbri, zuk, melodica, coyote melon, guitar

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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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