Christmas Canon
"Christmas Canon" is a song from Trans-Siberian Orchestra's 1998 album "The Christmas Attic". It has attained international fame and is one of the best-selling Christmas digital singles in history.
This unusual piece carries several layers of meaning and significance:
"The Christmas Attic" is the story of a girl exploring an attic on Christmas Eve, uncovering forgotten memories and rekindling the Christmas spirit. In its purity and simplicity, "Christmas Canon" intimates the timeless truths and emotions being rediscovered through this journey.
The song itself is based on Johann Pachelbel's famous "Canon in D Major," with new lyrics by Paul O'Neill. This fusion of classical music with contemporary lyrics creates a bridge between traditional and modern musical forms, symbolizing the timeless nature of the Christmas spirit.
It features a children's choir with light accompaniment from piano and strings. Contrasting sharply with Trans-Siberian Orchestra's usual rock style, this alludes to the innocence and purity associated with the childhood wonder at Christmas season.
The lyrics of "Christmas Canon" speak of hope, dreams, and the enduring spirit of Christmas. Key phrases include, "This night we pray our lives will show this dream he had" and "Each child still knows" -- suggesting that the dreams and hopes embodied in the Christmas story continue to be relevant in contemporary life, especially for children.
The following recording of "Christmas Canon" was remastered in High Definition for this official music video.
