In May 1997, Autumn Tears released their second full-length album, "Love Poems for Dying Children, Act II: The Garden of Crystalline Dreams". Erika left Autumn Tears after the release of "Act II" to pursue writing her novel. New vocalist Jennifer LeeAnna was recruited due to her extensive experience and tremendous talent. The first release of "Act I" was originally supposed to be limited to 2000 copies and sold out quickly, but due to an overwhelming amount of requests it was re-released with a new layout and artwork in 1998. All tracks were remixed and remastered. As a bonus, an additional and exclusive track titled "The Intermission", was also included on the repress, in which Jennifer LeeAnna made her debut appearance.
In December 1999, Erika rejoined Autumn Tears as a full-time member.
In July of 1999, Autumn Tears released a mini-CD titled "Absolution". In June of 2000, The band finished their third full length album and most epic release so far, "Love Poems for Dying Children, Act III: Winter and the Broken Angel".
In 2004, after four years of silence, the band recorded the album "Eclipse", which is described in Autumn Tears' official homepage as "the most epic, conceptual, and fullest neoclassical piece of music they have ever offered. Lush strings, acoustic guitars, and woodwinds accompany soaring orchestral soundscapes, painting the backdrop for a staggering array of vocal performances that range from operatic and classical solos to Baltic choral passages and duets".
In 2007, after a decade evolving, the band has finally shed its shell of neoclassical darkwave and gothic sound, in place of a more traditional classical and chamber music style. Drawing influences from such masters as Bach, Brahms, Hayden, Mahler and a host of others, Autumn Tears boasts rich and diverse musical arrangements based on music theory. In place of the usual keyboards and samples, "The Hallowing" employs fully live, authentic classical instrumentation including a live string section, woodwinds, oboe, french horn and haunting, operatic vocals. The album was originally limited to 1000 copies, but due to very high demand, it sold out within three weeks, and was soon re-released with an improved layout.
Immediately after the release of "The Hallowing", the project has been put on hold.
Members
Current line-up
Ted Tringo - composition, arrangements, original lyrics
Laurie Ann Haus - lead and backing vocals, revised lyrics
Terran Olson - flute, clarinet
Greg Ball - strings, snare drum
Session musicians
Cathleen Torres - French horn
Maya Glovinsky - oboe
Tanya Brody - harp
Angela Hsu - violin
Emily Packard - viola
Past members
Erika - lead and backing vocals, composition and keyboards
Jennifer LeeAnna - lead and backing vocals, vocal arrangements, composition and keyboards
Discography
Albums
1996 - Love Poems for Dying Children, Act I
1997 - Love Poems for Dying Children, Act II: Garden of Crystalline Dreams
2000 - Love Poems for Dying Children, Act III: Winter and the Broken Angel
2004 - Eclipse
2007 - The Hallowing
Mini-CD
1999 - Absolution
They Watch With Closed Eyes
Autumn Tears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bestow thy dark enchantment
Blissful death
So begins the autumn dance
I awaken thee
With my kiss
Be one with me
Dream of me, my children
As I embrace thy sorrow
And take unto myself
Thy kiss
I awaken thee
Would they hold me as I wept?
Would they dry my endless tears?
Would they kiss me as I died?
Would they love me as I am?
The lyrics above are from Autumn Tears's song They Watch With Closed Eyes. The song seems to be about a person who wants to be loved, even as they face death. The first verse goes, "Timeless ageless ethereal beauty, Bestow thy dark enchantment, Blissful death, So begins the autumn dance." The person seems to be ready to embrace death, which they see as a blissful end to their earthly suffering.
The second verse seems to describe the person reaching out to their children or loved ones who they hope will love them even in death. The lines, "Dream of me, my children, As I embrace thy sorrow, And take unto myself, Thy kiss, I awaken thee," suggest that the person is asking their loved ones to think of them even as they pass on. They hope that their loved ones will be able to embrace their sorrow and join them in the afterlife.
The final verse is a series of questions that the person asks their loved ones. They want to know if their loved ones will hold them, dry their tears, kiss them, and love them even after they have passed on. These questions seem to be a plea for love and affirmation, even in death. Overall, the song is a beautiful and haunting meditation on the nature of love and death.
Line by Line Meaning
Timeless ageless ethereal beauty
The beauty present in life is eternal and untouched by time, and it exists in a realm beyond human comprehension.
Bestow thy dark enchantment
Provide me with the mystical energy that makes me understand the forces beyond my understanding.
Blissful death
The process of passing away from life is peaceful and free from pain.
So begins the autumn dance
The natural process of decay, decline and death in the fall season initiates the dance of life and death.
I awaken thee
I am trying to awaken the spirits of the deceased so that their energies can be with me forever.
With my kiss
My love and passion for the deceased ignite their life energies.
Shall they forever
Their spirits and energies will be with me forever.
Be one with me
We will be united in the afterlife and bound together by the eternal forces of love and energy.
Dream of me, my children
Long for my love and energy because it will bring you peace and contentment.
As I embrace thy sorrow
I will help you deal with your pain and suffering because I am here to show you the way to eternal life.
And take unto myself
I will absorb your energy and spirit so that it can remain with me forever.
Thy kiss
Your love and energy that I consume to merge with you.
Would they hold me as I wept?
Would anyone care about me when I am grieving and shedding tears?
Would they dry my endless tears?
Would the people I love be there to help me through my sorrows and grief?
Would they kiss me as I died?
Would anyone be there to love and cherish me in my final moments?
Would they love me as I am?
Would the people I love love me for who I truly am, without any judgment or hesitation?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind