Opening
The Nightmare Before Christmas - OST Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
longer now then it seems in a place that perhaps you have seen in your dreams,
for the story you are about to be told began with the holiday worlds of old.
Now, you've probably wondered where holidays come from.
If you haven't, I'd say it's time you begun.
For holidays are the result of much fuss
And hard work for the worlds that create them for us.
Making one unique holiday, especially for you.
But once, a calamity ever so great occurred
When two holidays met by mistake.
The lyrics of the song "Opening" from the soundtrack of The Nightmare Before Christmas introduce the story and the concept of the holiday worlds. The song starts by establishing the idea that the events that are about to unfold happened a long time ago, but it implies that they may still echo in the dreams of the listener. It sets the stage for a fantastical and whimsical journey that will be revealed in the story.
The lyrics then transition into explaining the origin of holidays and how they are created. It suggests that holidays are not simply random events, but rather the result of meticulous planning and hard work from the worlds that bring them to life. Each holiday is crafted uniquely, tailored for every individual. However, an unexpected catastrophe occurred when two holidays crossed paths inadvertently, leading to an extraordinary chain of events.
Overall, the lyrics of "Opening" serve as an introduction to the main storyline of The Nightmare Before Christmas, capturing the imaginative and magical essence of the film. It sets the tone for a tale that delves into the collision of different holiday worlds and the chaos that ensues.
Line by Line Meaning
T'was a long time ago,
It was a significant period in the past,
longer now then it seems in a place that perhaps you have seen in your dreams,
It felt like an eternity in a familiar location that may have appeared in your subconscious,
for the story you are about to be told began with the holiday worlds of old.
Because the tale that is about to unfold originated from the ancient holiday realms.
Now, you've probably wondered where holidays come from.
Perhaps you have pondered about the origins of holidays.
If you haven't, I'd say it's time you begun.
If you haven't, it is advisable to start contemplating now.
For holidays are the result of much fuss
Because holidays are created through extensive effort
And hard work for the worlds that create them for us.
And immense dedication from the realms responsible for their creation.
Well, you see now, quite simply that's all that they do--
To put it simply, that is the primary purpose they serve--
Making one unique holiday, especially for you.
Crafting a distinct holiday tailor-made for each individual.
But once, a calamity ever so great occurred
However, there was a tremendously disastrous event
When two holidays met by mistake.
When two holidays accidentally intersected.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zef Davenport
I don't know why, I always get chills with the sentence "But once a calamity ever so great, ocurred when two Holidays met by mistake".
Zef Davenport
@Ethan Tinsley Could be, could be.
Ethan Tinsley
This is in reference with the film but I almost get the sense for reality too. Many of our holidays are from pagan dissent. As such, a calamity and controversy was made regarding them. I could be overthinking the meaning but it’s reasonable suspicion.
Austin Danger
Patrick Stewart's diction and vocal control is amazing - the original narration is better, sure, but it's still great to hear a master at work.
lamfam
Man, I know this comment is ages old, but I have to disagree with you on the "original narration is better" comment. I sort of see that more as a matter of opinion than verifiable fact. I personally prefer the warmth and jollity of Patrick Stewart's performance.
Jamie Arnott
As much as I love Patrick Stewart, I love the original better simply because it's shorter and builds up better to the song ,"This Is Halloween", that comes later. Patrick's works better as soundtrack poem on it's own than a film soundtrack. either this is a great piece of narration.
Cheese4G
As someone who only saw this movie once or twice in his childhood, I infinitely like this narration better than the one used in the actual movie. Though I certainly understand why people who grew up with the movie version would like it better.
The WindyREDPanda
Cheese4G So would Nightmare be Considered Cartoon or Tokusatsu?
AmayaRamiel
I love this narration more in the OST than in the film itself. Patrick Stewart is simply amazing.
Gray Corvid
I've always wished they included this in the movie. It would have added so much.