Inspired by history, I Believe is about the world war 1 soccer game between the British and Germans. It is somber, dark, and yet hopeful. Even with all the suffering both sides went through they could lay down their weapons in the spirit of giving. In any bad situation there is always a sliver lining. Imagine how beautiful this world could be if the powers that be could allow us to embrace our humanity. This song has a haunting atmosphere and pumps it into high gear with the addition of a clear and crisp acoustic guitar. Silent night can be distantly heard in the background. This song carries a sense of strength and fragility.
Lyrics:
Ice and fire and acid rain
Guns fire and bombs burst
Young men die of hunger and thirst
Innocence is now waning
Oh could it be a silent night
Angels weep in heaven’s light
Praying for all on either side
Waiting to see if the tide will subside
Unlike a fool you know I believe
Hope’s not lost so I cannot leave
Oh I can hear a silent night.
Unlike a fool you know I believe
Oh two arcs drawn on dead man’s land
Brother’s keeper take my hand
Maybe we can call each other friend
Maybe one day this war will end
You can only learn from past mistakes
There’s no way you can change the past
Unlike a fool you know I believe
Hope’s not lost so I cannot leave
Oh I can hear a silent night.
Unlike a fool you know I believe
Spotify:
Many of my family members served in the Armed forces including my father. I’m super interested in historical events because I have many relatives deeply entrenched in them.
My Great grandfather Edward Wicks was a luthier who restored the infamous violin belonging to Joshua Bell.
My 3 times Great Grandfather William Wicks served on President Roosevelt’s wartime production board and was a major part of the production of arms in WW2 for the Americans.
His sister in law was related to Robert the Bosh who helped Jews escape Germany during WW2. I actually have Jewish ancestry, because my twice Great grandfather on my father’s father side was actually adopted out of Germany before WW2. He was full blooded Ashkenazi and interestingly enough was adopted into the home of a German couple who at the time recently moved to the U.S. It’s amazing how worlds collide. If you would like to read more about the amazing history that inspires me every day check this out:
“On November 12th we finished mastering the song in Nashville”, said Edward Hull, president of Platinum Z Records. “ We had just finished up our finalizing for Zelena’s new EP titled ‘6 Feet Under’ when we decided we also needed to push for the release of her new Christmas song ‘I Believe’. Once we heard the preliminary drafts we knew we had to move quickly. We called Kenny Lee, who is a good friend of ours in Nashville and I asked if he could immediately fit us in for a recording session” said Hull.
Zelena wrote the song because she remembered her father telling her of the Christmas story when she was young and it made an impression on her. One day when she wanted to start working on a new song and the memories of the Christmas Truce story was on her mind. Zelena said “why don’t I write something about it and come back again later, if I get stuck.” Two days later it was finished. Edward said “When soldiers who are facing chemical weapons attacks, frostbite, starvation, and unimaginable horrors can stop fighting and respect each other it makes you wonder how different the world would be if we could follow their example.
The story that inspired the song:
This song is about the Christmas Truce of 1914. In 1914 during World War 1 the Pope sought a truce on Christmas day but the waring nations refused to give in. Soldiers were trained that fraternization with the enemy was an act of treason. On Christmas Eve the British and Germans over heard one another singing “Silent Night.” They started singing louder and louder which lead to a cease fire. The song is based on this true story of the German and British troops on the front lines in Europe. Afterward they began giving each other small gifts, sharing supplies, food, medical supplies, and even had a good will soccer game. The backdrop is a beautiful haunting melody that sets the stage. As the song starts it describes the wars horrific conditions. Then it transforms into a mesmerizing song of hope as it describes “two arcs drawn in Deadman’s land” symbolizing each solider telling the opposing forces I am a Christian, Merry Christmas. An early secret code of Christianity, the fish symbol was used as two people would greet each in ancient Rome by drawing the arc of the one side of the fish to be finished by the other so both would know they were Christian. They did this as Christians were heavily persecuted. This is symbolic of each other’s faith that became the Christmas Truce of 1914 and ends in restored faith in humanity.
