Lyric discussion by jabarhead 

Cover art for The Stable Song lyrics by Gregory Alan Isakov

Not to disagree, I think the muse explanation is a beautiful one. But...

I believe this song is about the experience of going from youthful joy, idealism, faith, and "reverence" -- and then losing it, hitting bottom, possibly self-destruction -- and, then... regaining it again, feeling alive and youthful again.

Initially, the character remembers what it was like when he was younger, everything on his mind was faithful, optimistic, reverential. He was connected to the universe. He jumped out into the unknown and shot for the stars, possibly even found success.

But, then the "sky falls," he hits bottom, perhaps he wanted too much, was over-indulgent, addiction, whatever. You can read between the lines here, but we know he wastes/abuses his "reverence" and his beautiful connection. We know he brought it upon himself. He becomes washed up, or whatever. This time frame is meant to be ugly/disparaging. But, mainly, we know he no longer jumps out into the unknown, no longer seizes life.

But, then...

He goes back into the "hollow" (or the unknown) to find the "reverence" again, the "ringing." Note: He was younger then... "the moon was just a sliver back then." He wants his heart back, he wants to FEEL again, like he did before.

Then, we know that it comes back to him, with intensity. He FEELS again, like it's "boiling" inside him. He's full of the reverence again, connected again, and adventurous... transformed back into a "wild-haired gail."

Lastly, it is like time has turned back or his perspective has become youthful, young again: "Turn these diamonds straight back into coal." The "diamonds" of wisdom/experience changed back into the raw source: coal before it has experienced so much pressure that it changed.

Or something like that...

Song Meaning
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Pretty sure you nailed it with that one. That's exactly what I pulled from this song. I think it is a beautiful song.

Thank you so much for posting your thoughts, because so much of them were mine as well.

I agree with you that "I threw stones at the sky but the whole sky fell" could mean he was over-indulgent (maybe a reference to the story of icarus?) and I thought of addiction too, but the I thought I was just projecting my life onto the song.

"well I dragged you straight in the muddy ground"-perhaps he brought someone down with him, and was abandoned by that person?

I interpreted "the moon was just a sliver back...

I agree with this because I know Isakov said something along the lines that this song is about life.