Last summer, a story in the news caught my eye and immediately captured my imagination: the story of Mira, the Wonderful Star.
“Mira,” or Omicron Ceti (in the constellation Cetus) is a variable star, one of the first ever recorded by astronomers. Her name comes from the Latin word for “wonderful” or “astonishing.” Mira’s apparent magnitude varies to such a degree that she seems to come and go in the night sky over time, cycling from dimmest to brightest every 332 days or so. She was approaching the peak of her brightness at the time I read the story.
In a rush of inspiration–the kind for which I never feel right taking full credit, somehow–I wrote “Wonderful Star” all in a night. I was thinking of the sense of awe and wonder that must have overcome those early observers as they bore witness to something both ancient and new.
lyrics
Stillness and quiet
Here they surround me
Suddenly spying a faraway gleam
Lanterns of fire
How they astound me
Flickering, dancing,
Alive, it would seem
Night will not tame you, yet I dare to name you
Maker of miracles, furnace of dreams
Mira, Mira, wonderful star
Strange in my reckoning, fair in my sight
Fortune upon you, whoever you are
And lucky the seeker who glimpses your light
Long have you traveled
Ages on ages
Leaving a shimmering path as you go
Infinite places
Teach me your patience
Teach me to treasure what I cannot know
Down through the centuries counting your mysteries
Will you return again, someday?
Someday
Mira, Mira, lady of lightness
Hidden in shadow as galaxies wheel
Cast off your raiment of heavenly brightness
Splendid in all that you choose to reveal
Mira, Mira, wonderful star
Strange in my reckoning, fair in my sight
Fortune upon you, whoever you are
And lucky the seeker who glimpses your light
credits
from Courage, Dear Heart,
released November 3, 2023
Summer Russell - lead vocals, guitar
Sunnie Larsen - violin, viola
Betsy Tinney - All The Cello
I could listen to Lauren sing forever. Her writing is vivid and sensitive, sweetly and painfully human--never apologizing for sharp corners and rough edges. The beauty of her spirit shines through. Summer Russell
Singer-songwriter Henry Parker puts his own spin on the classic sounds of '60s and '70s British folk on this wilderness-inspired new LP. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 9, 2021
