Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a rock orchestra founded in New York City, USA … Read Full Bio ↴Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a rock orchestra founded in New York City, USA by Paul O'Neill, Robert Kinkel, Jon Oliva, and Al Pitrelli in 1996. O'Neill had managed and produced rock bands including Aerosmith, Humble Pie and Scorpions, later writing for and producing Savatage, where he began working with Kinkel and Oliva.

The roots of TSO are found in Savatage, a traditional heavy metal band that gradually progressed into a symphonic metal act. Savatage's rock operas, starting with STREETS, began the experimentation with what would become TSO culminating on the track "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)" from DEAD WINTER DEAD. This track was a minor hit for the struggling band, and demonstrated that there might be an audience for the symphonic metal approach to holiday themes.

The concept for a band playing Christmas carols in a rock opera style was not received warmly by the industry, but quickly proved a success with adults as well as young people. In the recording studio, Trans-Siberian Orchestra uses a full 60-piece orchestra and a choir.

As of 2004, their touring band included 14 vocalists, 14 musicians, and 2 narrators. Trans-Siberian Orchestra released their debut album Christmas Eve and Other Stories in 1996, and it remains their best-selling album. Their 1998 release The Christmas Attic was similarly a concept album with a Christmas theme. In 2000, they released their first non-Christmas album, Beethoven's Last Night. Beethoven's Last Night is a concept album about Ludwig van Beethoven's last night on earth, during which he meets Mephistopheles (possible Satan, or one of his underlings).

After a few years of touring, they returned to the studio with another full-length album, Lost Christmas Eve, and the accompanying DVD/3-CD release The Christmas Trilogy, which contained all three of their Christmas albums to date.

During their winter tours of 2005 and 2006, the band had announced that they were working on the new album, set to release later that year (this was said both years). During the summer of 2007, the official myspace for TSO stated that they were recording, with the expression 'inspired'. Finally, on October 27, 2007, the long awaited new album (and second non-Christmas) arrived "Night Castle". The album is another concept album, spanning 2 cd's, and is the telling of the story of a soldier's experience during the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge. As always, it's about faith, hope, fate and the inherent belief that there is good in all people. The album was received with mixed reviews, from the praise of the band's fans, to the near burning of albums by those that are less than receptive to the album. Along with the songs for the story, the album also includes 4 tracks that are not part of the story, and yes, it features the band's rendition of "Carmina Burana (O Fortuna)", performed as a preview by the band during their winter tours, as well as one cover of a Savatage song.

http://www.trans-siberian.com
http://www.nightcastlealbum.com
http://www.myspace.com/tsoofficial

A Final Dream
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Lyrics

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Lay your head down
And sleep on my shoulder
Lay your head down
And start a new dream
And for tonight
The moment is over
Drift in a lullaby
Here where the stars reside

And angels are always seen

And lay your head down
The stars they have whispered
Hear what they say
And know that it means
The moon is your guide
The stars they have kissed her
As she goes gently by
Light as a baby's sigh
Safe on a fairy tale stream

And start a new dream

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "A Final Dream" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra call for the listener to lay their head down and sleep on the shoulder of the singer, and to start a new dream. The moment is over for tonight and we are invited to drift off in a lullaby, where the stars reside and angels are always seen. The stars have whispered and we should hear what they say, and know that it means the moon is our guide. The stars have kissed the moon as she goes gently by, and we are left feeling safe on a fairy tale stream. The song speaks of a soothing and comforting environment, encouraging the listener to let go of their worries and rest in peace.

The lyrics suggest that sleep and dreams can offer a sense of reassurance and hope, and that we can find guidance and comfort in the celestial bodies that surround us. The song's message is reminiscent of the childhood experience of being sung to sleep, and the idea that there is a benevolent force that watches over us as we rest. These themes are consistent with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's overall message of upliftment and positivity.

Line by Line Meaning

Lay your head down
Rest and find comfort in me.

And sleep on my shoulder
Let me support and protect you.

Lay your head down
Relax and let go of your worries.

And start a new dream
Begin a fresh vision of your future.

And for tonight
Just for this moment.

The moment is over
It will not last forever.

Drift in a lullaby
Fall into a peaceful sleep.

Here where the stars reside
In this place of wonder and possibility.

And angels are always seen
In the presence of goodness and hope.

And lay your head down
Once again, rest and let go.

The stars they have whispered
Listen to the secrets of the universe.