"Old Black Dawning"

SUBJECT: Biosphere II Center, a sealed habitat project in the desert.
From an interview, Mondo 2000 No. 10, c. 1993, by David Kushner...
M2: Your song "Old Black Dawning" is about Biosphere 2 in Arizona. Did you go there?
FB: Yeah, like a typical tourist. I took my drive out with my co-producer Eric Feldman. It's worth the ten bucks to take the little tour. I don't know if Biosphere 2 is a good thing or a bad thing. Obviously, it has very strong critics. Some are Green political thinkers, and some are regular Joe Blows living in Tucson who are like, "What the fuck are those guys doing in the middle of the desert with a damn greenhouse?"
M2: I've heard more sinister suggestions. Like maybe a dress rehearsal for some post-apocalyptic internment camp.
FB: It's interesting--whatever--whether it works or not. Even if it's some evil plan for billionaires to be protected from pollution or bombs. That may be only one element, though, as it obviously has connections to space technology.

I could've sworn I once heard it said that "Old Black Dawning" was a coffee reference, but I haven't found anything to back me up on that.

LYRICS:
I hung around / On the Planet Mabel / She tried to stand / But she was not able / She tried to find the true / She tried to colonize space / She only had a few / But it was a good race / Old Black dawning is coming on / Old Black dawning is coming on / Old Black dawning / Old Black dawning / I'm always happy to / Go down to old Tucson / After you had your fun / It's time to move on / I got a favorite story / About the Tower of Babel / Some say it's true / Some say it's a fable / Old Black dawning is coming on / Old Black dawning is coming on / Old Black dawning / Old Black dawning

LIVE: 93/94

ACOUSTIC: yes, a lot