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.
The rose
Gregorian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah
Ah
Ah
There used to be a graying tower alone on the sea
You became the light on the dark side of me
Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill
But did you know, that when it snows
My eyes become large, and the light that you shine can be seen?
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, oh
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the gray
Ah
Ah
There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain
Whoa, to me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny
Won't you tell me, is that healthy, babe?
But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large, and the light that you shine can be seen?
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, oh
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the gray
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray
I've been kissed by a rose on the
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray (and if I should fall, would it all go away?)
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray
There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain
To me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny
But won't you tell me, is that healthy, babe?
But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large, and the light that you shine can be seen?
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, oh
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the gray
Yes, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, oh
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the gray
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the gray
The lyrics to Gregorian's "Kiss From A Rose" describe the transformative power of love. The song begins by setting the scene of a "graying tower" alone on the sea, implying a feeling of loneliness and isolation. However, the song's narrator finds solace and light through their loved one, who becomes their guiding force. They compare their love to a "drug" that produces a "high," implying that it's addictive but also necessary for their well-being.
The chorus of the song compares the singer's love to a "kiss from a rose on the gray," which suggests that the beauty of their love can brighten even the darkest moments. As the relationship grows stronger, the singer becomes more deeply entrenched in their love, describing it as a "growing addiction that I can't deny." However, they also question the healthiness of this attachment, asking their loved one if it's sustainable.
The lyrics to "Kiss From A Rose" ultimately convey a sense of hope, as the culmination of the song sees the singer's love "in bloom" and a "light hits the gloom on the gray." This ending suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a brighter future through the power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
There used to be a graying tower alone on the sea
I used to feel lonely and lost, but then you came into my life and brought light to my darkness.
You became the light on the dark side of me
You are the light that shows me the way through the darkness of life.
Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill
Love is like a drug that provides a natural high, rather than being something that can be prescribed like a pill.
But did you know, that when it snows
My eyes become large, and the light that you shine can be seen?
Even amidst the cold and harsh times, the light of your love shines bright and makes my eyes widen with wonder and joy.
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray
Your love is as beautiful and soft as a kiss from a rose, even in the midst of the dreary and gray times of life.
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, oh
The deeper I fall in love with you, the more surreal and magical it feels.
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the gray
Now that our love is in full bloom, the light of our joy and happiness is powerful enough to dispel the darkness of life.
There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain
There are endless ways to describe how much I love you, but no matter what happens, you will always be the source of my strength, happiness, and pain.
Whoa, to me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny
Won't you tell me, is that healthy, babe?
My love for you is addictive and consuming, but I can't help it. I just want to know if this intensity is a good or bad thing for us.
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray
Your love has touched me and filled me with its sweet, enchanting aroma.
(and if I should fall, would it all go away?)
(But I wonder, if our love were to falter, would it all fade away?)
Yes, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray
Again, I must compare your love to the beauty and delicacy of a rose amidst the colorless and solemn grayness of life.
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the gray
Now that our love has fully blossomed, it has the power to brighten even the darkest of times.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cyrus elavia
I just love the music of the Gregorians. So very calming and soothing.
Darrell Bennett
For years, I believed that Elaine Paige's version of The Rose was the best version... and then I heard Gregorian. A truly beautiful and powerful rendition.
Abby Babby
When my brain is on Fire I find comfort hearing music like this. The harmony is something I adore. Thank you for performing this and posting.
Robert Croft
One of the best versions, wonderful harmony, as usual !
--B.Romualda Tatarzyn
Byłam na ich koncercie w Augsburgu niezapomniane przeżycie coś co trudno zapomniec
Nerine Beaumont
Absolutely wonderful to listen to💞
Claudia Baker
These guys voices are awesome, so harmonious - Luv Them!!!
Martie Rollin
LOVE hearing male voices! I wish I would have know about this group when they were doing concerts. Thank goodness for YouTube! Beautifully trained voices singing a meaningful song...beautiful melody!
Cristina Pinheiro
Linda interpretação!
Rosemary Summers
Wonderful, thank you.