Gregorian is a German band headed by Frank Peterson that performs Gregorian… Read Full Bio ↴Gregorian is a German band headed by Frank Peterson that performs Gregorian chant-inspired versions of modern pop and rock songs. The band features both vocal harmony and instrumental accompaniment.

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.

human
Gregorian Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Cut the cord

Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?

Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Send my condolences to good
Give my regards to soul and romance
They always did the best they could

And so long to devotion
You taught me everything I know
Wave goodbye, wish me well
You've gotta let me go

Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?

Will your system be all right
When you dream of home tonight
There is no message we're receiving
Let me know, is your heart still beating?

Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer

You've gotta let me know

Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?

Are we human or are we dancer?
Are we human or are we dancer?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Gregorian's song "Human" have been the topic of much discussion and interpretation since its release. The song asks the question, "Are we human or are we dancer?" This line has been the subject of many debates as it is not clear what the word "dancer" refers to here. Some have suggested that it is a reference to a puppet on a string, while others interpret it as a metaphor for people who are not in control of their own lives.

The first verse speaks of the singer's surrender to something, presumably fate or destiny. They talk about being nervous when they see an open door, possibly referring to the fear of the unknown. They urge the listener to close their eyes, clear their hearts, and cut the cord, possibly meaning to let go of things that hold them back.

The chorus repeats the question, "Are we human or are we dancer?" The next verse speaks of paying respects to grace, virtue, and good, and giving regards to soul and romance. They mention saying goodbye to devotion but also acknowledging that it taught them everything they know. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for leaving behind old beliefs and moving on to something new.

The bridge asks if the listener's heart is still beating and if their system will be all right when they dream of home tonight. This suggests that the singer is concerned about the listener's emotional state and well-being.

Overall, the song's meaning is open to interpretation, and it has been the subject of much analysis and debate.

Line by Line Meaning

I did my best to notice
I paid careful attention

When the call came down the line
When the message was delivered to me

Up to the platform of surrender
To the place of giving up and acceptance

I was brought but I was kind
I was taken there but I acted with kindness

And sometimes I get nervous
Occasionally I feel anxious

When I see an open door
When there is an opportunity

Close your eyes, clear your heart
Calm your mind and emotions

Cut the cord
Let go of whatever is holding you back

Are we human or are we dancer?
Are we individuals or are we just copies?

My sign is vital, my hands are cold
I appear healthy but I feel distant

And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
I am humbly seeking understanding

Pay my respects to grace and virtue
I acknowledge and honor qualities of elegance and morality

Send my condolences to good
I express my sympathy for good things that have ended

Give my regards to soul and romance
I acknowledge and appreciate deep emotions and love

They always did the best they could
They put forth their best effort

And so long to devotion
Farewell to commitment

You taught me everything I know
I learned from you

Wave goodbye, wish me well
Say farewell and hope for good things for me

You've gotta let me go
You need to release me

Will your system be all right
Are you OK?

When you dream of home tonight
As you sleep tonight, do you dream of home?

There is no message we're receiving
We aren't getting any signals or guidance

Let me know, is your heart still beating?
Tell me, are you alive and feeling?

You've gotta let me know
You need to inform me

Are we human or are we dancer?
Are we unique individuals or mere copies?

Are we human or are we dancer?
Are we truly individuals or just imitations?

Are we human or are we dancer?
Are we distinctive persons or only replicas?

Contributed by Maria H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

jerry haydel

4y↑2

I did my best to notice
When the call came down the line
Up to the platform of surrender
I was brought but I was kind
And sometimes I get nervous
When I see an open door
Close your eyes, clear your heart
Cut the cord
Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?
Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Send my condolences to good
Give my regards to soul and romance
They always did the best they could
And so long to devotion
You taught me everything I know
Wave goodbye, wish me well
You've gotta let me go
Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?
Will your system be all right
When you dream of home tonight
There is no message we're receiving
Let me know, is your heart still beating?
Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
You've gotta let me know
Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?
Are we human or are we dancer?
Are we human or are we dancer?