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about
Have you ever walked down the street, and noticed that the other people are not really there? Like zombies, their minds exist outside of their bodies, in some digital hell or heaven - purgatory, more likely - their faces bathed in what I think of as the silver halo, a nimbus of blue light emitted by nearby screen.
There are rumors of the existence of "incorruptible artifacts". I have seen one, the mummified hand of a saint in an orthodox cathedral in Europe. Proof of sainthood, in their enduring nature, the power of the holy spirit prevents decay of the body part into dust. But what about a whole head?
A saint, a prophet, the severed head of John the Baptist is believed to exist in over 20 locations in the present day, usually on display at a church In occult circles, more rumors emerge - the head speaks, constantly, in tongues, prophecies of the future. What is the most logical explanation for the existence of this multidimensional severed head? Here we have the case of a victim - of a terrible time machine accident.
Having traveled from the future, one understands the when and how of the moment of one's death. In this case, decapitation. One carefully adjusts the quantum bolt to get one out of there just before the nick. But what happens if the quantum agitator malfunctions? One gets out just after the nick... Hence: a head, stuck in time, doomed to repeat the moment just after decapitation, for eternity.
Being a time traveler, it is also possible for this John to be simultaneously existent in theological history at multiple points in the time space continuum. This song theorizes that John of Patmos "John the Revelator", is also a likely candidate to be on the Time Police most wanted list. What better profession to disguise that you are from the future - than an prophet in ancient times? Perhaps they the SAME? Only time will tell, and she is notoriously close-lipped.
lyrics
Why don't you let your silver halo down?
Let that blue light a-flicker, & darkness come around
Why don't you let your silver halo down?
Of the talking heads, you know John was the first
To transverse time & space, t
o be so gifted with the glory of God's grace
Of the talking heads, you know John was the first
To plunge through the arches of night
And, passing through a portal of glittering starlight,
Throw open the window, never mind the cold,
Walk with the eldest of the old souls
There, threads of unknown origin dance & weave
Now, if you should spy the silver, there amongst the gold
Wonder is what your fortune may hold.
Me, I got midnight blue & other colors impossible to behold
With mortal eyes - save for the wise
But I got that midnight blue, that midnight blue
There, under the arches of that night
Passing through a portal of glittering starlight,
When you throw open the window, never mind the cold,
Let the spell of Morpheus take hold.
Of the talking heads, you know John was the First
To be caught between the worlds, endlessly alone
Like an angel, far from home
Why don't you let your silver halo down
Let that blue light a-flicker, & darkness come around
Why don't you let your silver halo down
And as dawn's light approaches, Yes, as dawn's light approaches - Just remember that them rays are dignified by the night - the cosmic immortality of night
And plunging through the arches of night
Passing through a portal of glittering starlight,
Throw open the gates, give a shoutout to all your fates,
The dream gate awaits
credits
from Small Flames,
released April 1, 2021
Written and composed by Dylan Blackthorn
Produced by Dylan Blackthorn
Recorded, mixed, & mastered by Matt Smith at 6-String Ranch studio in Austin, Texas.
Dylan Blackthorn - lead vocal, accordion
Samantha Blackthorn - backing vocal
Dr. $ick - fiddle, guitar backing vocal
Tom Crail - tuba
Michael Rubin - encylopediae harmonicae, backing vocal
Eldridge Goins - drums, backing vocal
Special Guest:
Gary Lindsey - backing vocal
Accordion-driven singer, songwriter, composer, and band leader at THAT Damned Band, Thee Harlequine, & Mazel Tov Kocktail
Hour.
Part time Quantum Mechanic with 999 EYES FREAKSHOW & SURREAL SIDESHOW.
Austiner Klezmer Bund member since 2013.
TIME TRAVELER'S Local 999 since 2030....more
This explosive duo has it all in this album: class, charm, slowburns, drugs, and veiled innuendo. Pure vaudeville, great musicianship. Dylan Blackthorn
This twisted songwriting duo has been pumping out witicism and biting social satire ever since I joined their cult in 1998. The album F features underground hit Life is Excellent! Dylan Blackthorn
Another songwriter favorite of mine who calls upon wit & laughter to bring you to tears about the state of the world. Sublime, personal, verbose, poetic, biting social commentary. Dylan Blackthorn
Beautifully played and full of moving vocal performances, the Bay Area singer/songwriter's latest is a stellar work of art. Bandcamp Album of the Day Feb 3, 2023
