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

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay;
Remember Christ, our Savior,
Was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

Overall Meaning

In this classic Christmas song, Trans-Siberian Orchestra explores the central theme of Christmas - the birth of Christ and his ultimate role as the savior of mankind. Beginning with the traditional greeting "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," the song urges listeners to cast aside any distress or worries they may have and focus on the joyful news of Christ's birth. The lyrics remind us that Christmas is a time for celebration and hope, as it marks the birth of our savior who was sent to rescue us from Satan's power and guide us back to the path of righteousness.

The song's most poignant line "To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray" encapsulates the meaning and significance of Christmas. It gently reminds us that we all have sinned and strayed away from the righteous path, but Christ's birth and his ultimate sacrifice on the cross provide us with salvation and redemption. The repetition of the phrase "o tidings of comfort and joy" serves to emphasize the song's message of hope, inviting listeners to join in the celebration and revel in the assurance of Christ's love and mercy.

Line by Line Meaning

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,
May God provide you with a peaceful spirit, gentlemen,

Let nothing you dismay;
Don't be discouraged or disheartened;

Remember Christ, our Savior,
Recall Jesus, our Redeemer,

Was born on Christmas day,
Was brought into this world on Christmas Day,

To save us all from Satan's power
In order to deliver us all from Satan's grasp,

When we were gone astray.
When we had lost our way.

O tidings of comfort and joy,
Oh, the welcome news of comfort and delight,

Comfort and joy,
Soothing and jubilant,

O tidings of comfort and joy.
Oh, the welcome news of comfort and delight!

Lyrics © DIGITAL ZOO MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Traditional

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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