Mourning Cloak Blues

by Georgia Hathaway

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about

“Mourning Cloak Blues" is named after a laneway in Seaton Village, Toronto, as well as a butterfly. Locals see this butterfly in the laneway in spring, which undergoes cryo-preservation in winter and emerges to feed on various trees in the area. The lyrics of the song build on entomologist L. Hugh Newman’s poetic notion of the butterfly’s black with white trim: a girl wearing a black mourning cloak, who defiantly shows a bit of white petticoat underneath. The song calls upon both the butterfly’s biology and human storytelling to discuss themes of death and rebirth, and the potential for renewal after a time of grief.

lyrics

When she died,
They made me wear black,
We went to the church,
All dressed in black,
She whispered in my ear now, well,
I never wanted that,
She whispered in my ear now, well,
I never wanted that,

Our wings sleep in winter,
Shake off the ice in spring,
We know that death is just,
New life waiting,
So I’ll shed this mourning cloak and
Wear my white petticoat,
Yes I’ll shed this mourning cloak and
Wear my white petticoat,

Well she was born in a casket,
Gave birth in a tomb,
There’s not enough lipstick to,
Cover the blue,
But she’s coming alive as I
Wait in the pew,

We’ll go to the lane,
And rest in peace,
Concrete and elm and a
Willow tree feast,
And we’ll shed our mourning cloaks and
Wear our white petticoats,
Yes we’ll shed our mourning cloaks and
Wear our white petticoats.

credits

released April 1, 2022

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about

Georgia Hathaway Toronto, Ontario

Inspired by the wild places, both inner and outer, Georgia's meditative, blues-y folk songs are known for being "goosebump- inducing" (Lea Kirstein, Citizen Jane). Combining delicate vocals with rootsy resonator and picked classical guitar, they create a unique sound that is both haunting and joyful. ... more