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
Anno Domine
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One child lies embraced in a dream
Where each man regardless of station
On this night can now be redeemed
Where every man regardless of his nation
Ancestral relations
On this night the past can fly away
And that dream we've dreamed most
That every child is held close
On this night that dream won't be betrayed
All as one
Raise your voices
Raise your voices
All as one on this Christmas day
All rejoice
Raise your voices
Raise your voices
All rejoice, Anno Domine
On this night when no child's forgotten
No dream sleeps where he cannot see
No man here is misbegotten
And this night's dreams are still yet to be
Realize that the past can be forgiven, the future be re-writing
On this night where every child is save
And that dream we've dreamed most
That every child is held close
On this night that dream won't be betrayed
All as one
Raise your voices
Raise your voices
All as one on this Christmas day
All rejoice
Raise your voices
Raise your voices
All rejoice, Anno Domine
The lyrics to Trans-Siberian Orchestra's song "Anno Domine" are full of hope and salvation as they delve into the theme of redemption. The song speaks about a child embraced in a dream, and how on this particular night, every man regardless of his station or nation can be redeemed. The past can fly away, and every child can be held close - this dream won't be betrayed. The song encourages everyone to raise their voices as one and rejoice on Christmas day, because on this night, no child is forgotten, and every dream can be seen.
The song delves into the idea of forgiveness and redemption. The line "realize that the past can be forgiven, the future re-written" highlights the notion that no matter what has happened in the past, one can still move forward and create a better future. The concept of every child being held close is prevalent throughout the song and is symbolic of the idea that everyone deserves love and compassion, regardless of their background or circumstances.
"Anno Domine" has a powerful message that is relevant not just during the holiday season but throughout the year. The song reminds us that we can always strive to be better and make a positive difference in our own lives and the lives of others. It encourages us to come together as one and celebrate the hope and redemption that is available to us all.
Line by Line Meaning
On this night of hope and salvation
Tonight is a night of hope and redemption
One child lies embraced in a dream
A child is safe and dreaming
Where each man regardless of station
No matter a person's status or rank
On this night can now be redeemed
Everyone can be saved tonight
Where every man regardless of his nation
Regardless of nationality
Ancestral relations
Historical family ties
On this night the past can fly away
The past can be forgotten tonight
And that dream we've dreamed most
The dream of keeping children safe
That every child is held close
That every child is held and protected
On this night that dream won't be betrayed
The dream remains unbroken tonight
All as one
Everyone together
Raise your voices
Speak up together
All as one on this Christmas day
Together on this special day
All rejoice
Everyone be joyful
All rejoice, Anno Domine
Everyone be joyful, oh Lord
On this night when no child's forgotten
No child is left behind tonight
No dream sleeps where he cannot see
Every child has sweet dreams tonight
No man here is misbegotten
No one is unloved or unwanted
And this night's dreams are still yet to be
Tonight's dreams have yet to come true
Realize that the past can be forgiven, the future be re-writing
Understand that the past can be healed and the future can be changed
On this night where every child is save
Tonight, every child is protected
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL O'NEILL, PAUL F. O'NEILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DD Angel
On this night of hope and salvation
One child lies embraced in a dream
Where each man regardless of station
On this night can now be redeemed
Where every man regardless of his nation
Ancestral relations
On this night the past can fly away
And that dream we’ve dreamed most
That every child is held close
On this night that dream won’t be betrayed
All as one
Raise your voices!
Raise your voices!
All as one
On this christmas day!
All rejoice
Raise your voices!
Raise your voices!
All rejoice
Anno domine!
On this night when no child’s forgotten
No dream sleeps where he cannot see
No man here is misbegotten
And this night’s dreams are still yet to be
Realizing that the past can be forgiven
The future be rewritten
On this night where every child is safe
And that dream we’ve dreamed most
That every child is held close
On this night that dream won’t be betrayed
All as one
Raise your voices!
Raise your voices!
All as one
On this christmas day!
All rejoice
Raise your voices!
Raise your voices!
All rejoice
Anno domine
Alex Valentino
I don't even care if it's almost summer. There's never a wrong time to listen to TSO's amazing Christmas songs :D
Ted Roberts
Alex Valentino Agreed
DD Angel
On this night of hope and salvation
One child lies embraced in a dream
Where each man regardless of station
On this night can now be redeemed
Where every man regardless of his nation
Ancestral relations
On this night the past can fly away
And that dream we’ve dreamed most
That every child is held close
On this night that dream won’t be betrayed
All as one
Raise your voices!
Raise your voices!
All as one
On this christmas day!
All rejoice
Raise your voices!
Raise your voices!
All rejoice
Anno domine!
On this night when no child’s forgotten
No dream sleeps where he cannot see
No man here is misbegotten
And this night’s dreams are still yet to be
Realizing that the past can be forgiven
The future be rewritten
On this night where every child is safe
And that dream we’ve dreamed most
That every child is held close
On this night that dream won’t be betrayed
All as one
Raise your voices!
Raise your voices!
All as one
On this christmas day!
All rejoice
Raise your voices!
Raise your voices!
All rejoice
Anno domine
Hein Connu
I love TSO and Savatage! They made me like christmas music again!
Tigerguy 101
Two instruments were use in this song, voices and a piano.... my favorite of all time
Tigerguy 101
@E O which makes me absolutely love it
Tigerguy 101
@E O either way, very few instruments made this great song
E O
They may have used strings too. But I can never tell with TSO sometimes if there are strings or not on any given song. The giveaway is the very end where you hear some vibrato.
Hyena Edits
Unashamedly singing along!
Brendan McRay
I used to listen to this song when i was in 7th grade and i still listen to this song