Originally, Gregorian was conceived as a more pop-oriented group in the vein of Enigma. Under this concept, they recorded the 1991 album Sadisfaction, with lead vocals provided by The Sisters of Oz: Susana Espelleta (Peterson's wife at the time) and Birgit Freud. However, this was the only album in that style.
In 1998, Peterson and his team Jan-Eric Kohrs, Michael Soltau and Carsten Heusmann re-invented the project to perform popular songs in the Gregorian style. The criteria for song selection were strict; in order to be considered, a song needed to be translatable into the 7-tone scale. For each album, songs were carefully chosen in addition to original songs written by Jan-Eric Kohrs, Amelia Brightman and Carsten Heussman. Twelve vocalists - previously acclaimed session and choir singers - were then hired to record the tracks.
Each Gregorian album is initially digitally tracked at Nemo Studios, Peterson's Hamburg studio. The vocalists then record their parts in a church atmosphere with dimmed lights and candles, in order to escape what Peterson referred to in a 2001 interview as the "cold and technical" studio atmosphere.
The concept proved to be successful, and the group proceeded to record several more Masters of Chant albums in the same style. Their 2004 album, The Dark Side, was a slight departure from the others, featuring a darker repertoire consistent with the title.
In 2005, The Masterpieces, a compilation album with a live DVD, was released. A fifth Masters of Chant album was released on 31 March 2006. In 2006, a festive album was also released, titled Christmas Chants. A sixth Masters of Chant album was released on 28 September 2007. In 2009 a seventh Masters of Chant album followed.
Gregorian in 2009
On 8 September 2010 the next album, titled The Dark Side of Chant, was announced to be published on 15 October 2010.
The members of the Gregorian choir group are Richard Naxton (Naxos), Johnny Clucas (Johnny), Chris Tickner (Chris T.), Richard Collier (Rich), Gerry O'Beirne (Gerry), Lawrence White (Lorro) and Rob Fardell (Rob F.).
Others who contribute to the vocals or sound of Gregorian are Sarah Brightman (under the pseudonyms Hepsibah or Sarah Hellmann), Amelia Brightman (Sarah Brightman's younger sister), Frank Peterson, and staff of Nemo Studio among others.
Auld Lang Syne
Gregorian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine;
We've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin' auld lang syne.
We two hae paidled i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.
And here's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
The song "Auld Lang Syne" is a traditional Scottish folk song that has become a global classic often associated with the celebration of the turn of a new year, especially on New Year's Eve. The phrase "auld lang syne" translates to "old long since" or "days gone by," and the lyrics of the song speak to the importance of remembering long-lasting friendships and memories, even if they have been forgotten with time. In this sense, the lyrics can be interpreted as a symbol for lasting friendships and the importance of valuing relationships over material possessions.
The song begins with a question, asking whether old acquaintances should be forgotten and left behind. However, the repetition of the phrase "auld lang syne" emphasizes that the memories and friendships of the past should not be easily forgotten. The singer then goes on to reminisce about past adventures with a companion, recalling all the fun they had despite the struggles they faced.
The chorus of the song, which repeats throughout, encourages the two friends to share a cup of kindness in honor of their past times together, acknowledging that they may not see each other again but should still value their friendship all the same. Finally, the song concludes with a repetition of the initial question, asking if old acquaintances should be forgotten, with the answer being a resounding no.
Line by Line Meaning
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Should we forget about our old friends and memories?
And never brought to mind?
Should we never think about them again?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
Should we forget about our old friends and memories?
And days of auld lang syne?
Should we forget about the good old days?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For the sake of old times, my darling,
For auld lang syne,
For the sake of old times,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
We will yet raise a cup of kindness
For auld lang syne.
For the sake of old times.
We twa hae run aboot the braes
We two have run around the hills
And pou'd the gowans fine;
And picked the fine daisies;
We've wander'd mony a weary foot
We have wandered many a weary mile
Sin' auld lang syne.
Since old times.
We two hae paidled i' the burn
We two have paddled in the stream
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
From morning sun till dinner time;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
But wide seas have roared between us
Sin' auld lang syne.
Since old times.
And here's a hand, my trusty friend,
And here is my hand, my faithful friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
And give me your hand;
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
We will yet raise a cup of kindness
For auld lang syne.
For the sake of old times.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Should we forget about our old friends and memories?
And never brought to mind?
Should we never think about them again?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
Should we forget about our old friends and memories?
And days of auld lang syne?
Should we forget about the good old days?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For the sake of old times, my darling,
For auld lang syne,
For the sake of old times,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
We will yet raise a cup of kindness
For auld lang syne.
For the sake of old times.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For the sake of old times, my darling,
For auld lang syne,
For the sake of old times,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
We will yet raise a cup of kindness
For auld lang syne.
For the sake of old times.
Contributed by Jacob I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.