In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Belladonna and aconite
Give to me the gift of flight
Take me up, airborne in the night
In a dream, across the sky
A hundred-million miles high
Take me ever onwards in the night
Dark sisters join my night flight
See how far you can climb
Holt’s with us on this bright night
Ride with him ‘cross the sky
As a screaming horde
We cut the scape
The Devil’s Apple exacerbates
To the sabbat on a demon steed I ride
Across the astral plane we race
The universe my fingers trace
And I am lost forever in my mind
Give to me the gift of flight
Take me up, airborne in the night
In a dream, across the sky
A hundred-million miles high
Take me ever onwards in the night
Dark sisters join my night flight
See how far you can climb
Holt’s with us on this bright night
Ride with him ‘cross the sky
As a screaming horde
We cut the scape
The Devil’s Apple exacerbates
To the sabbat on a demon steed I ride
Across the astral plane we race
The universe my fingers trace
And I am lost forever in my mind
Lyrics submitted by Domitia
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It seems to me that the song is about a journey through the astral plane. Hallucinogenic substances are sometimes used to aid in rituals to do so.
The song is about the legendary flight to the Sabbat that Witches in the Middle Ages were supposed to do. The historical records show that the herbs mentioned in this song were used in "flying potions" which Witches would use to "fly" to the "Sabbat." In reality the supposed "flight" was a psychonautical voyage to the astral plane (as stated in the lyrics) where the celebrant might receive gnosis (ineffable knowledge) at the Sabbat (or state of ecstatic union with the higher self, or the forces of nature. The herbs mentioned are all extremely poisonous, so as one commenter put it, stick to wacky tobbacy or, I might suggest, Shrooms. All in all, the song is simply about having a Shamanistic experience. Its not about getting stoned or promoting the use of poisonous plants. The lyrics are meant to be evocative and dramatic. Not literal.
There's also a chorus at the end that goes:
Hemlock, Henbane, Acone... Belladonna Opium, Thornapple, Cinquefoil... Mandragora
I've never heard of most of these herbs... anyone know what they are?
Hemlock - Conium maculatum, member of the parsley family, used to kill Socrates Henbane - Hyoscyamus niger Aconite - Aconitum napellus, commonly "monkshood" Belladonna - Atropa belladonna, commonly deadly nightshade Opium - distilled from the juice of the poppy Thornapple - Datura stramonium, commonly Jimson weed Cinquefoil - Potentilla reptans Mandragora - Atropa mandragora, commonly mandrake
Most of the above are HUGELY poisonous, and should not be fooled with. They are commonly regarded to be ingredients in so-called flying ointment used by witches. Applied topically in a grease base, the chemicals in the herbs would induce a hallucinogenic effect. I hope modern witches know better than to mess with this stuff and stick to pot.
Each of these herbs produce a hallucinogenic effect with out the combining with the others. Combinine any of these herbs together can cause dangerous effects, and at times death. It's not suggested to ever use them in any potions. Also, some are illigal
Opium is the only illegal one, I believe.
does anyone know what is meant by the Devil's Apple? I sorta get the rest, but that one is puzzling...
Datura also known as Devil's Apple, Angel Tulip, Green Dragon and a whole host of other names. Related to Belladonna and just as dangerous...
The primary meaning of the song is: "hallucinogenic drugs are ok!" But not necessarily the named drugs!
@imrazor It's not saying hallucinogenic drugs are OK. It's about what witches used to make flying ointment a long time ago to astral project. No modern witch in their right minds would use those ingredients.
@imrazor I based this comment on something Candia said introducing the song in 1992 (when they still had live drums) - the video may still be on YouTube? Her introduction to the song began "this one's about the effects of hallucinogenic drugs" (It's the show where the smoke machine went out of control - "if you see the lighting man, nut him on my behalf! I'm in danger of falling off this stage")
Does anyone know who Holt is?
@amethystrose82 That would be one of the guises that the Goddes takes in Wicca. Holt is the same as Frau Holda in Germanic mythology. Holda (the fair one) was the goddess of spring and thus analogous to Oestara, Freya, Diana, Venus, Frigg, Astarte and others. Not sure why She's referred to as "Him" in the lyrics.<br />
@amethystrose82 Some kind of english judge from a few hundred years ago who helped end the prosecution of supposed witches.