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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Ornament
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Lyrics
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Lost inside the night
There on a Christmas tree
With a thousand lights
No one can see her
She's standing all alone
Somewhere she glistens where no one can see
All of those words that we put into play
No longer matter, I should have known that then
I just know you're far away
On this Christmas Day
On this Christmas Day
On this Christmas
Somewhere the wind
Carves moments in the snow
And if he sees her
He never lets it show
He just drifts behind her
Erasing every step
Tinsel and garland are whispered through trees
I don't believe I can say what had happened
All of those words that we put into play
No longer matter, I should have known that then
I just know you're far away
On this Christmas Day
On this Christmas Day
On this Christmas
Come Christmas, stay Christmas
Watch over her this day
Keep her, protect her
From harm now in every way
Shelter her gently
There in your arms she'll be
Until the day
When you bring her back home to me
There is an ornament lost inside the night
The song Ornament by Trans-Siberian Orchestra tells the story of an ornament lost on a Christmas tree with a thousand lights. Despite being surrounded by a festive atmosphere, the ornament stands alone, unappreciated and unseen. The lyrics suggest that the ornament could represent a person who feels isolated and unnoticed in the midst of joyful celebrations. The singer also expresses regret for past actions that may have caused distance between them and their loved one who is far away on Christmas Day. The wind that carves moments in the snow is a symbol of the passage of time and the impermanence of life. The singer implores the wind to keep the lost ornament safe and protect their loved one from harm until they can be reunited.
The song is poignant and reflects the bittersweet nature of Christmas for many people who may be struggling with loneliness, loss, or distance. The theme of isolation and longing is conveyed through the atmospheric music that features haunting melodies, choral vocals, and orchestral instruments. The lyrics capture the mood of the season and the feeling of nostalgia that often accompanies the holidays. The song reminds us that even amidst the chaos of the season, we should be mindful of those who may not be feeling the same joy and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
There is an ornament
The song starts off by talking about an ornament that is lost in the darkness.
Lost inside the night
The ornament is somewhere in the darkness and can't be seen.
There on a Christmas tree
The ornament is on a Christmas tree somewhere, but it is not specified where.
With a thousand lights
The tree has many lights on it, making it difficult to find the ornament.
No one can see her
Despite being on the tree, the ornament is hidden amongst the lights and decorations.
She's standing all alone
The ornament is isolated and alone on the tree.
Somewhere she glistens where no one can see
The ornament is shining and sparkling in an unseen location.
I don't believe I can say what had happened
The artist is unsure of what caused the separation from the person they are singing to.
All of those words that we put into play
The words and promises that the artist and the person they are singing to shared are not important anymore.
No longer matter, I should have known that then
The artist regrets that they did not realize the insignificance of the words before.
I just know you're far away
The singer knows that the person they are singing to is not present with them.
On this Christmas Day
On this Christmas Day
On this Christmas
The artist is acknowledging that this is occurring on Christmas Day.
Somewhere the wind
Carves moments in the snow
The snow is being shaped and moved by the wind.
And if he sees her
He never lets it show
Even if the wind sees the ornament, it will not give any indication of its location.
He just drifts behind her
Erasing every step
As the wind moves along, it wipes away any indications of where the ornament has been.
Tinsel and garland are whispered through trees
The decorations are gently swaying in the trees.
Come Christmas, stay Christmas
Watch over her this day
The artist is requesting that the ornament is watched over and protected on Christmas Day.
Keep her, protect her
From harm now in every way
The singer is concerned for the safety and protection of the ornament.
Shelter her gently
There in your arms she'll be
The ornament will be safe and protected in the wind's arms.
Until the day
When you bring her back home to me
The ornament will be returned to the artist when the time is right and safe to do so.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN OLIVA, JOHN N. OLIVA, PAUL O'NEILL, PAUL F. O'NEILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind