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
I'll Keep Your Secrets
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see you there
What do you see beyond your stare
And you believe that no one else can know
What is this thing you keep inside
Out of the light and wrapped in pride
Always afraid that one day it will show
I'll keep your secrets
I'll hold your ground
And when the darkness starts to fall
I'll be around there waiting
When dreams are fading
And friends are distant and few
Know at that moment I'll be there with you
What are these voices that you hear
Are they too far or far too near
What are these things that echo from the past
Who are these ghosts you see at night
There in the shadows of your life
They only live by the light you cast
I'll keep your secrets
I'll hold your ground
And when the darkness starts to fall
I'll be around there waiting
When dreams are fading
And friends are distant and few
Know at that moment I'll be there with you
I'll be around
When there's no reason left to carry on
And every dream you've ever had is gone
And the dark is deep and black without a sound
And every star has been dragged to the ground
Know at that moment I will be around
Know at that moment I will be around
Trans-Siberian Orchestra's song "I'll Keep Your Secrets" is a ballad that speaks to the idea of a deep, intimate connection between two people. The lyrics explore the hidden parts of a person's soul that they are afraid to reveal to others, even those closest to them. The first stanza starts with a person who is lost in their own darkness, and the singer sees them there. The singer wonders what lies behind the person's stare and discusses how this person believes that their secrets are something that no one else can understand. The next stanza explores the nature of these secrets- they are kept deeply hidden away from the light and wrapped up in pride. The person fears that one day, their secrets will become known to others.
The chorus of "I'll Keep Your Secrets" is the singer's promise to hold these secrets close, to be a refuge for the person when they face the darkness that comes as dreams fade away and friends become distant. The person is reassured that even at those moments when it feels like there is no reason to carry on, the singer will be there to offer support and love. The final verse of the song addresses the voices, ghosts, and echoes that inhabit our past and present memories, always waiting in the shadows. The person is assured that the singer will continue to hold their secrets and be there for them, even when it feels like every star has been dragged down to the ground.
Line by Line Meaning
Lost in your dark
I sense you are in a dark place
I see you there
I am aware of your presence
What do you see beyond your stare
What are you thinking?
And you believe that no one else can know
You think that nobody else can understand
What is this thing you keep inside
What is the secret you are hiding?
Out of the light and wrapped in pride
You are keeping your secret hidden with pride
Always afraid that one day it will show
You are scared that people will find out your secret
I'll keep your secrets
I promise to keep your secret safe
I'll hold your ground
I'll support you when you need it
And when the darkness starts to fall
When things get tough
I'll be around there waiting
I'll be there for you
When dreams are fading
When things aren't going as planned
And friends are distant and few
When you feel alone
Know at that moment I'll be there with you
You can count on me to be there for you
What are these voices that you hear
What are the thoughts in your head?
Are they too far or far too near
Are they distant or close to you?
What are these things that echo from the past
What memories are haunting you?
Who are these ghosts you see at night
What fears do you have?
There in the shadows of your life
Your fears follow you around
They only live by the light you cast
Your fears only exist because you give them power
I'll be around
I'll be there for you
When there's no reason left to carry on
When you feel like giving up
And every dream you've ever had is gone
When nothing seems to be going as planned
And the dark is deep and black without a sound
When everything feels hopeless
And every star has been dragged to the ground
When you feel like everything is falling apart
Know at that moment I will be around
You can count on me to be there for you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN OLIVA, JOHN N. OLIVA, PAUL O'NEILL, PAUL F. O'NEILL, ROBERT KINKEL, ROBERT S. KINKEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind