Story Behind The Song

100313 Peach Blossom Dream I was asked to write a song for a concert at which myself and various other musicians will perform. The concert takes place in Seoul, (more about that later) on Saturday April 17, 2010. The concert has a theme of sorts... There is a painting which was created in 1447 by the early Choseon period (1392-1910) artist named Ahn Gyeon titled "Mongyu Dowondo" (Dream Journey to the Peach Blossom Land). During the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945) the painting was removed from Korea and has since then remained in Japan. It is currently at Tenri University in Nara Prefecture. In addition to the painting there is a poem by a contemporary of Ahn Gyeon, Shin Sookju (1417-1475) in which the painting is described in abstract and spiritual terms. A group of Koreans have been trying to have the painting returned to Korea for posterity. The song I have written also takes inspiration from the story (the Peach Orchard) told in the Akira Kurosawa film "Dreams" (1990) As I understand it, the site of the concert, located in Buam-dong in Seoul was once the site of Ahn Gyeon's home, thereby giving considerable significance to the theme of the event. references: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahn_Gyeon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreams_(film)

Song Description

A capturing of the essence of a painting by Ahn Gyeon, a 15th century Korean artist and a poem about the painting by Shin Sook-ju, about the same period. The poem, originally written in Hanja (Chinese characters) is spiritual in nature, esp. Buddhist. It addresses time in terms of seasons and measures a board game (Go) as a thousand years as seen by the author. I have described the artists painting as being a reminder of the orchard likened to utopia/paradise long after it has perished. While having a predominantly sad and wistful feel, the song is one of hope. Hope that we may still realise a paradise in our hearts and minds.

Lyrics

Peach Blossom Dream (bsr)


1 = voice 1 ... 2 = voice 2

1 i had a dream...a secret garden of peace

that no-one knows,
2 somewhere, nowhere, here today

1 where blossom snows
2 coming, going, fade away


hard to explain...what's in my heart
to tell what's real...from what is not


time has deceived me, bereft me of my reason
seasons have passed while I looked the other way
spring again returns and brings with it the blossom
how could I have missed the words it had to say

though long since lost to history and overcome by time
the paradise that used to be...the terraces and vines

are still breathing, weaving their mystery

the fountains and mountains still speak to me


1 i had a dream...a secret garden of peace

that no-one knows,
2 somewhere, nowhere, here today

1 where blossom snows
2 coming, going, fade away



painter on the hillside his easel and his palette
freezing the moment the vision that he sees
faithfully portraying the solitary orchard
capturing the sunlight that plays upon the leaves


the trees decay and bloom no more in time the orchard dies
but the artist by his canvas keeps this paradise alive

it's still breathing, weaving its mystery

the fountains and mountains still speak to me

1 i had a dream...a secret garden of peace