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.
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Mephistopheles
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Lyrics
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There'd be a time when you'd ever die
Still it's been rumored this thing must be
Why is it then that you act surprised
When I appear now to be your guide
Why do you hesitate to follow me
See it rising, stare and wonder
Hear it beckon you to dance
Feel it hold you, take you under
I'm your god of second chance
And now you claim you are not prepared
So much to do you can not be spared
Still your entreaties death will not hear
The graveyard is filled with important men
Who could not be spared but were in the end
And so I whisper now in your ear
See it rising, stare and wonder
Hear it beckon you to dance
Feel it hold you, take you under
I'm your god of second chance
Domine
Domine
Domine
Domine
O Domine
O Domine
O Domine
O Domine
The lyrics of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Mephistopheles" explore the themes of mortality, death, and the afterlife. The first stanza addresses the denial of death that many people have, despite the inevitability of it. The singer is questioning why the listener is surprised that they have come to guide them through the unknown territory of death. The second stanza demonstrates the alluring qualities of death, the way it can draw people in almost like a dance. The singer, who refers to themselves as the "god of second chance," reminds the listener that they have a choice to follow them or not. The third stanza is almost a warning to the listener, reminding them of how many important people have not been able to avoid death despite their own important tasks. The final stanza is a repetition of "Domine," which is Latin for "Lord," possibly evoking a sense of reverence for the unknown, divine aspect of death.
Line by Line Meaning
All of your life now you have denied
Throughout your life, you have refused to acknowledge the possibility of death.
There'd be a time when you'd ever die
You have lived as though you would never face death.
Still it's been rumored this thing must be
Despite your denial, you have heard that death is inevitable.
Why is it then that you act surprised
Yet you seem shocked and unprepared when I, Mephistopheles, arrive as your guide to the afterlife.
When I appear now to be your guide
I have come to lead you into the next realm.
Why do you hesitate to follow me
But you hesitate to accept my offer and follow me.
See it rising, stare and wonder
I compel you to take notice of the afterlife and consider what it offers.
Hear it beckon you to dance
The afterlife invites you to embrace it, to participate fully in all of its wonders.
Feel it hold you, take you under
It will take hold of you and immerse you in its mysteries.
I'm your god of second chance
As the lord of the underworld, I offer you a second chance at life - albeit one quite different than what you're used to.
And now you claim you are not prepared
Despite the inevitability of death and my offer to join me in the afterlife, you refuse to believe you are ready.
So much to do you can not be spared
You argue that you are too busy living to die - that you can't afford to die now because of everything left undone.
Still your entreaties death will not hear
But death is deaf to such pleas - it will come for you regardless of what you wish for or ask.
The graveyard is filled with important men
Many important men have come before you and, like you, thought they had all the time in the world, only to end up buried in the cold earth.
Who could not be spared but were in the end
Despite their great importance, these men too could not escape death in the end.
And so I whisper now in your ear
I, Mephistopheles, remind you of this and warn you of the same fate.
Domine
Domine
Domine
Domine
O Domine
O Domine
O Domine
O Domine
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: . DP, JOHN OLIVA, PAUL O'NEILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind