Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24

I finally got round to putting up my Christmas tree and is customary I have to play some TSO.

Today's song has no words, it's simply the "Carol of the Bells" but played with a bit more soul. The story behind this one is found in both "Dead Winter Dead" and "Christmas Eve and Other Stories".

As the story goes, an old man returns to war-torn Sarajevo, the city of his birth as he feels he needs to be there as things come apart. Then on Christmas eve he climbs to a pile of rubble while the missiles are fired and begins to play.

Sadly as the story tells, in "Dead Winter Dead" the old man is killed by falling missiles, but his song managed to save a couple of young people. Perhaps that is the true meaning of Christmas, to save the world, one at a time.

This story while directly linked to "Dead Winter Dead" comes from "Christmas Eve and Other Stories" where an angel is sent to earth to find the meaning of Christmas. He hears this song as he's flying about, looking for the meaning of Christmas.

As he flew o'er Sarajevo
There were scars upon the land
There were scars upon the people
It was hard to understand

And the deepest scars of all
Which to humans are unseen
But the angel could see clearly
Were the scars upon the dreams

Like Belfast and Burundi
Rwanda, Palestine
The only decorations here
Had been awarded for their crimes

And in gardens where the children played
Now soldiers only trod
And stranger still, he heard some say
That they were killing for their god

Now the angel heard god speak many times
And he had always paid attention
But this killing of ones neighbor
Was something the Lord had never mentioned

But as he neared the earth
Of a recent battleground
From among the ruins
He once more heard the sound

It was a single cello playing
A forgotten Christmas song
And even on that battlefield
The song somehow belonged

And as he flew away
The angel did take note
That where he found this music played
One always could find hope

One can only hope that they would bring cheer and song, even in the most difficult of times.

Promises To Keep

Yeah, adding a few I've added before, but that's the beauty of any play list, you can simply hit replay.

Yesterday was a very long day... longer than I can remember. But somehow no matter how dark the night, morning always comes and our journey begins anew. There are many things I have to do, but for now they can wait.

Today's tune, "Promises to Keep" by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra remains as a reminder that while we all have a promise to keep, that once in a while others have theirs too.

Somehow I'll remember that no matter the situation that Christmas remains a day where anything can be redeemed.

Christmas time
On a cold December morning
All is calm
And the world is still asleep
Christmas lights
That have been caught without warning
Gently glitter on
Stars to wish upon
All the world is at peace

Christmas time and the year will soon be leaving
Cloaked in time till it's just a memory
Christmas stays if we don't forget its meaning
Days go quickly by
Years they multiply
And we go searching for thee

And the dream is still alive
From that first December morning
And it always will survive
As long as we can see
That the dreams we find in life
Are the dreams we tend to seek
And Christmas has its promises to keep

Christmas time
And the moments just beginning
From last night
When we'd wished upon a star

If our kindness
This day is just pretending
If we pretend long enough
Never giving up
It just might be who we are

AND SO IT'S GOOD THAT WE REMEMBER
JUST AS SOON AS WE'VE DISCOVERED
THAT THE THINGS WE DO IN LIFE
WILL ALWAYS END UP TOUCHING OTHERS

SO FROM A FADING NEON STAR
SOMEWHERE SHINING IN THE NIGHT
WE FIND A FATHER FAR AWAY
NOW REFLECTING IN ITS LIGHT

The Moment

Ever consider how it was some of our more difficult moments that lead to moments of true brilliance or triumph?

Today's song from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, "The Moment" covers some of Beethoven's more painful memories that ultimately became some of his greatest inspiration. If we can take a moment and use these points in our lives, surely then, we can make something truly great from something otherwise?

In this world of circumstance
Children never fear forever
And this moment that enchants
Someday we may both remember

Then
Maybe then
If we are still alive
Then
Maybe then
This moment will survive

Here is time in every word
There are words in every reason
And these notes that are unheard
One day they may find their season

Then
Maybe then
If we are still alive
Then
Maybe then
This moment will survive

Then
Maybe then
If we are still alive
Then
Maybe then
This moment will survive

Ultimately we should never fear forever of anything, we should somehow take the good from everything and make that moment survive.

Christmas Has Its Promises To Keep

It is June the 21st or the winter solstice. So... it's rather chilly. Today marks the official beginning of winter - does that mean it's getting colder still? But it is also Yule (also referred to Christmas by northern hemisphere Christians).

So... any reason to re-visit Christmas is a good one. Anyone that knows me knows that I'm just a sucker for the whole Christmas thing so while there's the "official" party on Saturday, there is also the real celebration today.

"Christmas Has Its Promises To Keep" is one I've added before from Trans-Siberian Orchestra but one that reminds me all year long that that Christmas never really leaves us for the promises we've made aren't limited by time, but can echo forever.

And so it's good that we remember
Just as soon as we've discovered
That the things we do in life
Will always end up touching others

Christmas time
On a cold December morning
All is calm
And the world is still asleep
Christmas lights
That have been caught without warning
Gently glitter on
Stars to wish upon
All the world is at peace

Christmas time and the year will soon be leaving
Cloaked in time till it's just a memory
Christmas stays if we don't forget its meaning
Days go quickly by
Years they multiply
And we go searching for thee

And the dream is still alive
From that first December morning
And it always will survive
As long as we can see
That the dreams we find in life
Are the dreams we tend to seek
And Christmas has its promises to keep

Christmas time
And the moments just beginning
From last night
When we'd wished upon a star

If our kindness
This day is just pretending
If we pretend long enough
Never giving up
It just might be who we are

So it matters not what the day is, for Christmas will keep it's promises, of this I'm sure.

The Ghosts of Christmas Eve

Yet another fantastic track from The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Just love these guys.

But with Christmas Eve fast approaching, guess the ghosts will once again be visiting. But as we all know it's easy to believe on a night like this be you a small child... or slightly older. The magic remains with the Ghosts of Christmas Eve.

In this room where shadows live
And ghosts that failed learn time forgives
Welcome, friends, please stay awhile
Our story starts with one small child

Who spends this night in attics dark
Where dreams are stored like sleeping hearts
And so it's here that they must wait
Till someone wishes them awake

For somewhere on this night of nights
She's looking to believe
Here among the ghosts on Christmas Eve

And there near an old looking glass
There was a trunk from Christmas past
That she had somehow missed before
But now decides she will explore

'Twas filled with toys and one old wreath
And several letters underneath
So as the evening hours leave
The child sat down and started to read

For somewhere on this night of nights
She's looking to believe
Here among the ghosts on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve

The Ghosts of Christmas Eve... I know them well.

Christmas in the Air

Just 11 sleeps away. So close, so very close I can just about taste it (my turkey and cranberry sauce that is).

With so many Christmas songs out there, I'm constantly drawn back to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Can't go wrong with these guys! Another one from "The Christmas Attic" today's tune is "Christmas in the Air". Because, quite simply it is. There's finally some cheer... almost excitement. People finally seem to be a little happier than they were a few weeks ago. While I have no doubt it's partly due to my outlook on things, perhaps rubbing off a little, or perhaps Christmas has found those that seem to need it most?

While Christmas can quite happily make use of these wary hands, I think somehow it's put a hand in here and there.

Christmas time in the middle of a city
Seeking its salvation
With every string of lights
That suddenly appears

Children stare with new found wonder
No one dares to break the trance
Every wish is carefully numbered
And God has granted all a second chance
This day

And all at once
The dream's begun
And as we mark the old year's passing
Strangers greet
On every street
And suddenly there's goodwill everywhere
There's Christmas in the air

On this night
To this light
We see it all again
On this night
To this light
We see it all again

On this night
To this light
We see it all again
On this night
To this light
We see it all again
All again

On this winter night
We still wait for you

And now the time has come
When all the world is one
And as we mark the old year's passing
Strangers greet
On every street
And suddenly there's goodwill everywhere
There's Christmas in the air

There comes a time when we're on our own
Some times in life such a thing must be
But such a thing should not be known
This night
This night
This night

And now the time has come
And now the time has come
And now the time has come
And now the time has come
And now the time has come

And all the world is one
And as we mark the old year's passing
Strangers greet
On every street
And suddenly there's goodwill everywhere
There's Christmas in the air

The power of Christmas: "Strangers greet on every street". Something that's simply missing the rest of the year.

Christmas Has Its Promises To Keep

Well Here's another song that always help renew any hope that may be fading. Yet another fantastic track from The Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

"Christmas Eve & Other Stories" does a fantastic job of describing just how I see Christmas:

And so it's good that we remember
Just as soon as we've discovered
That the things we do in life
Will always end up touching others

Because we all have the opportunity to make an impact. We all have the ability to make a change, and if we just pretend long enough, who knows? But oh so very true, that todays song's title is a statement and a plea, because "Christmas Has Its Promises To Keep".

Christmas time
On a cold December morning
All is calm
And the world is still asleep
Christmas lights
That have been caught without warning
Gently glitter on
Stars to wish upon
All the world is at peace

Christmas time and the year will soon be leaving
Cloaked in time till it's just a memory
Christmas stays if we don't forget its meaning
Days go quickly by
Years they multiply
And we go searching for thee

And the dream is still alive
From that first December morning
And it always will survive
As long as we can see
That the dreams we find in life
Are the dreams we tend to seek
And Christmas has its promises to keep

Christmas time
And the moments just beginning
From last night
When we'd wished upon a star

If our kindness
This day is just pretending
If we pretend long enough
Never giving up
It just might be who we are

So far Christmas has kept all it's promises, even in the darkest of days.

An Angel's Share

Feeling as sick as a dog, but came across a gem from my brother. "Santa is Metal". Couldn't help but chuckle at that one and see my spirits lifted.

Oh, the joy of Christmas!

Todays tune is yet again from The Trans-Siberian Orchestra the greatest Christmas song writers. This from "The Christmas Attic" where it takes the last believing child to change Christmas for others. But it begs the question, where does a child stop believing? When it becomes an adult... or do you become an adult because you stop believing?

Deep inside this Christmas Eve
Watching as the hours leave
Gently drifting in the air
Shadows of an angel's share

Christmas lights
On Christmas nights
With peace for every nation
Stable scenes
And evergreens
With snow still glistening

Angels grace
This humble place
With hopes of our salvation
Christmas cards
And snow filled yards
And children wondering

Rejoice
All awaken
Rejoice
Quickly hasten
Rejoice
For the newborn king

Rejoice
For the vision
Rejoice
He has given
Hear the choirs as they sing

Scrooge returns
To once more learn
That Christmas ghosts conspire

To redeem
His soul it seems
But still he hesitates

To believe
He's not deceived
Until this night inspires
Him to find
That at this time
It never is too late

Rejoice
All awaken
Rejoice
Quickly hasten
Rejoice
For the newborn king

Rejoice
For the vision
Rejoice
He has given
Hear the choirs as they sing
And sing
And sing
And sing and sing and sing

Winter dreams
Her endless scenes
In endless combinations
To embrace
This world of faith
This world that we now see

Every year
It returns here
With all its variations
And as the day

It fades away
And we once more find that...

Once again the promise kept
One by one the angels slept
So we leave this night in peace
And the world in gentle sleep

Sometimes Christmas uses its own hands, sometime is uses ours.

Old City Bar

Put all the cheesy (just as cheesy as they need to be and not a gram of cheese more) Christmas songs onto disk last night to start bombarding the poor buggers at work. There's all the classic stuff, from Dean Martin (Any body reading this, I would really like this ;) to Martina McBride (yes Jodene, I even have some that), Britney Spears and what would Christmas be without Boney M?

But todays track is my fave Christmas song of all time (I think), "Old City Bar" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I guess you can find help or salvation in the strangest of places. Often the one you help most is yourself.

In an old city bar
That is never too far
From the places that gather
The dreams that have been

In the safety of night
With its old neon light
It beckons to strangers
And they always come in

And the snow it was falling
The neon was calling
The music was low
And the night
Christmas Eve

And here was the danger
That even with strangers
Inside of this night
It's easier to believe

Then the door opened wide
And a child came inside
That no one in the bar
Had seen there before

And he asked did we know
That outside in the snow
That someone was lost
Standing outside our door

Then the bartender gazed
Through the smoke and the haze
Through the window and ice
To a corner streetlight

Where standing alone
By a broken pay phone
Was a girl the child said
Could no longer get home

And the snow it was falling
The neon was calling
The bartender turned
And said, not that I care
But how would you know this?
The child said I've noticed
If one could be home
They'd be all ready there

Then the bartender came out from behind the bar
And in all of his life he was never that far
And he did something else that he thought no one saw
When he took all the cash from the register draw

Then he followed the child to the girl cross the street
And we watched from the bar as they started to speak
Then he called for a cab and he said J.F.K.
Put the girl in the cab and the cab drove away
And we saw in his hand
That the cash was all gone
From the light that she had wished upon

If you want to arrange it
This world you can change it
If we could somehow make this
Christmas thing last

By helping a neighbor
Or even a stranger
And to know who needs help
You need only just ask

Then he looked for the child
But the child wasn't there
Just the wind and the snow
Waltzing dreams through the air

So he walked back inside
Somehow different I think
For the rest of the night
No one paid for a drink

And the cynics will say
That some neighborhood kid
Wandered in on some bums
In the world where they hid

But they weren't there
So they couldn't see
By an old neon star
On that night, Christmas Eve

When the snow it was falling
The neon was calling
And in case you should wonder
In case you should care

Why we're on our own
Never went home
On that night of all nights
We were already there

The tick is just to somehow make this Christmas thing last.

The Dark

"The Dark" by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (a side project by Savatage) is a tune I've had stuck in my head. This one comes from Beethoven's Last Night as he sits waiting for the Devil to return.

This entire album is absolutely brilliant and despite some rather deep sombre moments, it offers hope for all.

This one is sung by the muses. As his life is quickly coming to an end he's sitting alone in the silence - not only caused by his deafness, but also from deep in his heart. A life of regret, despite all that he had brought to the world.

FEEL THE DARKNESS SMILING
EVERY NOTE IS DYING
SILENCE IS REFINING
EVERY THOUGHT IN HIS HEART

STILL THE FATES ARE WEAVING
EVERY NOTE THAT'S BLEEDING
AS HE SITS THERE SEETHING
ALL ALONE IN THE DARK
ALONE IN THE DARK
ALONE IN THE ...

BUT IN THE NIGHT
THE DARKNESS BREATHES
IF HE WILLS IT TO BE

BEFORE HIS EYES
THE MUSIC DIES
BUT HE WILL ALWAYS HEAR ME

HE SITS ALONE
THE CARDS ARE SHOWN
AS HE EMBRACES THE DARK

THE ONLY SOUND
THAT HE WILL HEAR
IS THERE IN HIS HEART

SOMEONE IS WHISPERING SOFTLY TO ME
SHADOWS OF THINGS THAT NO ONE CAN SEE
THEY ARE THERE FOR YOU IF YOU WANT THEM TO BE
YOU WANT THEM TO BE
YOU WANT THEM TO....

BUT IN THE NIGHT
THE DARKNESS BREATHES
IF HE WILLS IT TO BE

BEFORE HIS EYES
THE MUSIC DIES
BUT HE WILL ALWAYS HEAR ME

HE SITS ALONE
THE CARDS ARE SHOWN
AS HE EMBRACES THE DARK

THE ONLY SOUND
THAT HE WILL HEAR
IS THERE IN HIS HEART

Silence is magic, but never forget the song in your heart.