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.
FAREWELL
Gregorian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i wanna go
wherever you're heading
can you let me know
i don't mind catching up
i'm on my way
just can't take the thought of you miles away
and i know you're going somewhere to make a better life
and even though it kills me
that you have to go
i know it'll be sadder
if you never hit the road
so farewell!
somebody is gonna miss you
farewell
somebody is gonna wish that you were here
that somebody is me
i will write to tell you what's going on
but you won't miss nothing but the same old song
if you don't mind catching up
i'll spend the day telling you stories about a land far
away
but i know
and i know you're going somewhere to make a better life
i hope that you find it on the first try
and even though it kills me
that you have to go
i know it'll be sadder
if you never hit the road
so farewell!
somebody is gonna miss you
farewell
somebody is gonna wish that you were here
farewell
somebody is gonna miss you
farewell
somebody is gonna wish that you were here
that somebody is me
and i'm gon' try to hold it all in
try to hold back my tears
so it don't make you stay here, yeah
i'mma try to be a big girl now
cause i don't wanna be
the reason you don't leave
farewell
somebody is gonna miss you
farewell
somebody is gonna wish that you were here
farewell
somebody is gonna miss you
farewell
somebody is gonna wish that you were here
that somebody is me
The lyrics of "Farewell" by Gregorian tell the story of a person who doesn't want to see their loved one leave, but ultimately acknowledges that it's for the best, even though it will be difficult. The singer is expressing their desire to follow the person wherever they may be going, and their willingness to catch up, so that they can continue to be a part of their loved one's life. They acknowledge that their loved one is leaving to find a better life, and that they hope they find what they are looking for. Although it is hard to let them go, the singer recognizes that it would be even sadder if they didn't hit the road and go after their dreams.
As the song progresses, the mood turns more melancholy and emotive. The singer acknowledges that someone is going to miss their loved one, and they - the singer - are that person. They promise to write to their loved one and share stories of their life, but they know that the loved one won't be missing much. Despite the sadness, the singer insists that they will try to be strong and not ask their loved one to stay, because they want them to go and find happiness.
Overall, "Farewell" is a beautifully crafted song that tells the story of a love between two people, even though they are not together. It explores the idea of leaving someone behind and the pain that comes with that, but ultimately recognizes the importance of following your dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
wherever you're going
I want to accompany you to wherever you are headed
wherever you're heading
Can you please inform me about your destination?
can you let me know
Just tell me where you're going
i don't mind catching up
I can join you later
i'm on my way
I'm getting ready to follow you
just can't take the thought of you miles away
I can't bear the idea of you being far away from me
and i know you're going somewhere to make a better life
I understand that you need to leave and find a better life elsewhere
i hope that you find it on the first try
I hope you are successful in finding what you're looking for quickly
and even though it kills me
Although it hurts me deeply
that you have to go
That you need to leave
i know it'll be sadder
It will be even more heartbreaking
if you never hit the road
If you decide to stay and never leave
so farewell!
Goodbye!
somebody is gonna miss you
Someone will feel your absence
somebody is gonna wish that you were here
Someone will want you to be present
that somebody is me
I am that someone who will miss you and want you to stay
i will write to tell you what's going on
I will keep you updated through letters
but you won't miss nothing but the same old song
Not much will happen here, just the usual
if you don't mind catching up
If you're interested, I can tell you about my life
i'll spend the day telling you stories about a land far away
I can entertain you with tales about far-off places
and i'm gon' try to hold it all in
I will attempt to contain my emotion
try to hold back my tears
I will try to stop myself from crying
so it don't make you stay here, yeah
So I don't inadvertently convince you to stay
i'mma try to be a big girl now
I will try to be strong and mature
cause i don't wanna be
Because I don't want to become
the reason you don't leave
The reason you would choose to stay against your will
Writer(s): ALEXANDER JUNIOR GRANT, ESTER DEAN
Contributed by Aria W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Eileen Bates
The Songs that Gregorian do are all so beautiful. They touch your soul. Thank you so much .
domnique anyaso
Amelia's voice is like icing on a cake sent from heaven.