The Fest of Love

1) The times have changed and it got colder
Nature seems to be getting older
Losing all its leaves and flowers
Daylight only for a few hours.

2) Grey and fog are in the air
Naked trees and bushes everywhere
People rush to find a cosy place
Warm their feet, their frozen face.

Refrain

Candle lights and a lovely sweet smell
Something so special – can you tell?
It’s Christmas time, the fest of love
God’s mercy descends from above.

Bridge

Cold and dark can’t block the light
Snow and ice can’t withstand the love
Is your heart open for the grace above?
Are you ready to share this gift of love?

Refrain

Candle lights and a lovely sweet smell
Something so special – can you tell?
It’s Christmas time, the fest of love
God’s mercy descends from above.

The times have changed ...

Lyrics: Guido von Arx
Music: Stephen Keeling
Vocals: Merete Amstrup (version I);
Jeannine Michèle & Singing Kids’ Choir (version II)
Recording: Jürg Peter, Tonstudio Nord (version I);
Stefan Mens, Media Art (version II)

Why Is It So?

Around Christmas,
There seems to be
More sadness,
More expectations,
More frustrations,
More hatred
And more violence.

Can you tell me why?

Around Christmas,
Being alone
Is more painful:
No warm feelings to share,
No family to celebrate,
No friends to chat,
No lovers to love.

Can you tell me why?

Around Christmas
The longings of the heart,
The desires of the mind,
The questions of the intellect,
The passion of the senses,
The dreams of the soul -
Are all so much stronger.

Can you tell me why?
What is the secret,
The secret
Of this festival of love?

Silent night, holy night...

Lyrics by Guido von Arx
Music by Franz Xaver Gruber (1787 – 1863)
Vocals by Merete Amstrup
Performed by Annina Suter

Christmas Time

Is it mainly just business,
A myth some believe in,
A tradition to end the year,
Or something no one really knows?

Is it like any other season,
As agnostics would claim.
Or maybe just a big hype
For those who live around here?

Refrain

Yet no one can deny
That it’s a special time.
You may not understand
From where the light has come,
Giving hope to all...

Is it because it’s so cold –
Quite a strain for most...
And nature seems lifeless,
Freezing, covered with ice and snow.

Is it mainly just business,
A myth some believe in,
A tradition to end the year,
Or something no one really knows?

Refrain

Yet no one can deny
That it’s a special time.
You may not understand
From where the light has come,
Giving hope to all

Bridge

And have you seen
The shining light
In the eyes of a child
On Christmas day?
Have you seen?

Refrain (slightly changed)

Yes, no one can deny
That it’s a special time.
You may not understand
From where the light has come,
Giving hope to all.

A special time... Christmas time...

Lyrics: Guido von Arx
Music: Stephen Keeling
Vocals: Merete Amstrup
Recording & mix: Jürg Peter, Tonstudio Nord

Another Year

1) Another year will soon be passed
I wonder how it went so fast.
Hasn’t it only just begun
With new hopes and some fun?
Looking back, it scarcely seems true
How quickly time has passed through.

2) As a child it seemed so long –
Life was slow, it hardly moved along.
But now it’s just the other way –
Time moves fast, not a moment will stay.
It’s as flickering as a dew-drop –
And nothing can bring it to a stop.

Refrain

Whatever the situation, whatever the strain –
In pleasure or joy, in anxiety or in pain –
Giving some love is always worthwhile,
Some kindness, some care or just a smile.

3) What have I done and what will I do?
The past is over – the future is not due.
But why do I yearn for what has passed?
The best and the worst will never last...
What is there really besides the now?
Let us grab this moment somehow.

4) Summer days have gone and the sun is rare –
It’s a good time for my inner life to take care.
A good moment to reflect and to think ahead:
What should I do different or better instead?
To change is not easy, we all know,
Yet every progress is great, even if slow.

Bridge

So there is no use lamenting for what is gone,
No use worrying over what hasn’t begun.
It is better to appreciate what is here.
Take what you have and what is near.

Refrain

Whatever the situation, whatever the strain –
In pleasure or joy, in anxiety or in pain –
Giving some love is always worthwhile,
Some kindness, some care or just a smile.

Lyrics: Guido von Arx
Music: Annina Suter
Vocals: Merete Amstrup