Nox Arcana's debut album, Darklore Manor, was featured as the musical score for the WB's televised special of the 1922 silent film classic, Nosferatu, and has spawned a book of original horror stories, The Legend of Darklore Manor and Other Tales of Terror. Their haunting Gothic soundtracks have also been used in theatrical productions of Bram Stokers' Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and Lewis Carrol's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. During the Halloween season the music of Nox Arcana can be heard throughout haunted attractions and theme parks around the world, including Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Six Flags, and Knott’s Berry Farm.
In keeping with Vargo's literary interests, several concept albums pay tribute to many of his favorite authors. The darkly seductive album, Transylvania, ventures into the land of vampires, musically expounding upon Bram Stoker's Dracula. The sinister Necronomicon is brought to life in Nox Arcana's homage to H.P. Lovecraft. And the unsettling Blackthorn Asylum explores the horrors of a forsaken 19th century sanitarium with an original storyline that expands upon Lovecraft's "From Beyond." Carnival of Lost Souls takes listeners inside an old-fashioned traveling circus that harbors living nightmares and sinister secrets, in the tradition of Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes." The morbid and melancholy Shadow of the Raven pays tribute to the great Edgar Allan Poe, and the darkly enchanting Grimm Tales album brings the childhood nightmares of the Brothers Grimm to life. Theater of Illusion conjures a realm of mystery and dark magic, set in an old Vaudeville theater, hidden from the outside world, where master magicians gather to display their talents every Halloween night. The Dark Tower is a sinister symphony based on Joseph Vargo's original book series, Tales From The Dark Tower, and its sequel, Beyond The Dark Tower, which follows an epic saga of the vampire Lord Brom and his quest to solve the ancient mysteries of the accursed keep.
Nox Arcana also delves into the realms of fantasy with the medieval sword and sorcery epic, Blood of the Dragon, which stormed in at #4 on Amazon's New Age chart, and Phantoms of the High Seas, a ghostly adventure steeped in pirate lore that explores mysteries of the deep. The gothic-Christmas release Winter's Knight peaked at #8 on the Billboard Music Chart for Best Holiday Album in 2006. Winter's Eve continued the celebration of the magic and wonder of the winter season. Nox Arcana returned to the wintery realm of Ebonshire forest with Winter's Majesty, marking the third and final installment of winter-holiday albums.
Since the early stages of Blackthorn Asylum, Nox Arcana has been the solo project of Joseph Vargo, who has been the sole composer and musician on all subsequent albums, including Winter's Eve, Theater of Illusion, The Dark Tower, Winter's Majesty, Legion Of Shadows and Ebonshire. Vargo has also composed the music for two Buzz-Works CDs (Zombie Influx and House of Nightmares), as well as the musical scores for the cable series Eerie America and the upcoming computer game The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana.
As with all of Nox Arcana’s albums, the concepts and themes are of personal interest to Joseph Vargo, who also creates the lavish artwork, captivating storylines and hidden puzzles that accompany each CD. The section called The Arcanum offers entertaining information about Nox Arcana's favorite authors and arcane subjects.
Over the past decade, Nox Arcana has released a total of 18 full-length albums, comprising more than 380 compositions, and have never re-released any of their material on other albums. The latest release, Legion of Shadows, marks the band's 10 year anniversary, with 21 all new instrumental tracks dedicated to Nox Arcana's fans and all creatures of the night.
Coventry Carol
Nox Arcana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sleep well, lullay, lullay.
And smile while dreaming, little one.
Sleep well, lullay, lullay.
Fair well, lullay, lullay.
O sisters, too, what may we do,
To preserve on this day;
Sleep well, lullay, lullay.
Fair well, lullay, lullay.
Herod the king, in his raging,
Set forth upon this day;
By his decree, no lives spare he,
All children young, to slay.
All children young, to slay.
Then woe is me, poor child, for thee.
And ever mourn and say;
For thy parting, neither say nor sing,
Fair well, lullay, lullay.
Fair well, lullay, lullay.
And when the stars fill darken skies,
In their far vetchers stay;
And smile as dreaming, little one.
Fair well, lullay, lullay.
Dream now, lullay, lullay.
The Coventry Carol is a Christmas carol that originated in Coventry, England in the 16th century. The lyrics tell the story of the Massacre of the Innocents, where King Herod ordered the killing of all male infants in Bethlehem in the hopes of eliminating Jesus. In the carol, three sisters mourn the loss of the children and sing a lullaby to a child, whom they know will also be killed if found. The carol acknowledges the sadness and despair that came with the event but also brings hope and comfort to those mourning.
The opening stanza invites a little child to sleep well and dream peacefully as they sing “lullay”. The tune is soothing, and it evokes a sense of calmness and comfort. However, the second stanza reveals the reason behind the lullaby. Herod’s decree to kill all male infants has been issued, and the sisters lament the loss of the children while trying to protect the one for whom they are singing. The carol also speaks of the sorrow that follows their death and the importance of keeping their memory alive.
The final verse ends on a hopeful note, urging the child to dream and smile in the stars' soft glow. The Coventry Carol is a poignant reminder of the pain and suffering caused by Herod's actions but contains within it the hope that we can bring compassion and love into our hearts during this special season and find joy amidst sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
Lullay, thou little tiny child,
Sleep well, little baby, peacefully.
Sleep well, lullay, lullay.
May your sleep be calm and tranquil, little one.
And smile while dreaming, little one.
May you be happy and content in your dreams, little child.
Fair well, lullay, lullay.
Farewell and sleep well, sweet baby.
O sisters, too, what may we do,
What can we do, my sisters, to save this young child?
To preserve on this day;
How can we protect this innocent on this fateful day?
This poor youngling for whom we sing?
This child we sing for, who is so helpless and vulnerable?
Herod the king, in his raging,
King Herod, in his fury and anger,
Set forth upon this day;
Went forth on this very day;
By his decree, no lives spare he,
By his order, he spared no lives,
All children young, to slay.
He commanded that all young children be killed.
Then woe is me, poor child, for thee.
My heart aches for you, poor child, to face such a cruel fate.
And ever mourn and say;
I will always grieve and say;
For thy parting, neither say nor sing,
I cannot bear to say or sing goodbye to you, little one.
Fair well, lullay, lullay.
Farewell and sleep well, precious baby.
And when the stars fill darken skies,
When the stars fill the darkened skies,
In their far vetchers stay;
Rest in a far-off place;
And smile as dreaming, little one.
Be happy and smile in your dreams, dear baby.
Fair well, lullay, lullay.
Farewell and sleep well, darling child.
Dream now, lullay, lullay.
Sleep and dream peacefully, little one.
Contributed by Oliver T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.