In 1961, while Winter was in college at Northwestern University, the Paul Winter Sextet won the Intercollegiate Jazz Festival and was signed by Columbia Records.
The next year, the band toured Latin America as cultural ambassadors for the United States State Department, playing 160 concerts in 23 countries. The Sextet was also the first jazz band to perform at the White House.
After Winter's band changed its name to the Paul Winter Consort in the late 1960s, it contributed to the development of new age music and healing music.
Common Ground
Paul Winter Lyrics
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Alive and free
Far away in time from our darkest day
That took our young and brave
From the cradle to the grave
70 years ago on July one 1916 on the Somme
The enemies had never seen fighting like this before
How could any German man
Survive through that ordeal?
Company 'A' to Company 'be '
"Morale is high here, sir, but I don't think it's safe to go"
Company 'A' from Company 'be '
"Mister you have your orders and you must obey"
So the first line rose, and the first line fell
And a poet who survived later wrote about
A "Sunlit vision of Hell"
And "Larks singing"
Because after all it's just another summer's day in France
And the Tommie's on the Somme sang
"We are fighting to turn no-man's land into a common ground"
A common ground
The lyrics of Paul Winter's song "Common Ground" evoke an atmosphere of somber reflection and remembrance of the sacrifices made by soldiers in the midst of war. The opening lines express gratitude for life and freedom, acknowledging the distance from the horrors that marked history. The song's focus then shifts to the Battle of the Somme, which took place 70 years before the composition of the song. The verses offer a detailed description of the events that unfolded in the battle, highlighting the chaos and violence that tested the soldiers' courage and endurance. The lyrics also showcase some of the human stories that emerged in the midst of the chaos, such as the company's communication difficulties and the resilience of the soldiers trying to survive the onslaught.
The chorus of the song, "We are fighting to turn no-man's land into a common ground," gives the song its title and encapsulates its theme. The idea of finding common ground in a place that was marked by strife and division is a powerful one. The song seems to suggest that humanity's best chance for survival is to find common ground together despite the differences that separate us. The song's melody, with its mournful and haunting notes, fits the lyrics perfectly, creating a poignant portrait of the realities of war.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are
We're in the present moment
Alive and free
We're alive and have freedom
Far away in time from our darkest day
We've moved forward from our worst times
That took our young and brave
Losing our courageous youth
From the cradle to the grave
From birth to death
70 years ago on July one 1916 on the Somme
Years ago on a specific date and location
The enemies had never seen fighting like this before
A new and unprecedented type of battle for the enemy
Such a simple plan--
A seemingly uncomplicated strategy
How could any German man
Wondering how the opponent survived the attack
Survive through that ordeal?
How did they make it through that experience?
Company 'A' to Company 'be'
Communication between companies
Morale is high here, sir, but I don't think it's safe to go
Despite the good spirits, it's risky to proceed
Company 'A' from Company 'be'
A response from another company
Mister you have your orders and you must obey
Orders must be followed
So the first line rose, and the first line fell
The first wave of troops moved forward and were quickly taken down
And a poet who survived later wrote about
A survivor wrote of the experience
A 'Sunlit vision of Hell'
A clear view of the terrible warzone
And 'Larks singing'
The birds were still chirping despite the fighting
Because after all it's just another summer's day in France
The war was happening on an ordinary day
And the Tommie's on the Somme sang
Soldiers on the Somme created a melody
We are fighting to turn no-man's land into a common ground
The goal is to convert the battlefield into a neutral space
A common ground
A shared space
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IVAN LINS, RONALDO MONTEIRO (DE) SOUZA, PAUL T. WINTER, HARRY JOHN GUTH, MICHAEL HOLMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind