30 Aug 09 [Ctrl+V]Bressanone – by Matthew Lien

Bressanone

online listening:

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website: http://www.matthewlien.com/
wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Lien

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Bressanone  by Matthew Lien: lyrics and the story behind
Bressanone (music clip)
From album “Bleeding Wolves” (Album information)
Matthew Lien
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Here I stand in Bressanone
with the stars up in the sky
Are they shining over Brenner
and upon the other side
–
You would be a sweet surrender
I must go the other way
And my train will carry me onward
though my heart would surely stay
Oh my heart would surely stay
—
Now the clouds are flying by me
and the moon is on the rise
I have left the stars behind me
they were diamonds in your skies
—
You would be a sweet surrender
I must go the other way
And my train will carry me onward
though my heart would surely stay
Oh my heart would surely stay
==========================
The Story
by Matthew Lien
Date: 02-20-2002 18:10

Hello Forrest,

Thank you for your comments. Now make yourself a cup of hot tea, sit back, and I’ll tell you a story about Bressanone…

Several years ago, I fell deeply in love with a young woman, andalso with a part of northern Italy known as South Tyrol. It bordersAustria, just south of the Brenner mountain pass which separates Italyfrom Austria.

South Tyrol used to be joined with North Tyrol (now a part ofAustria) and West Tyrol (now a part of Switzerland). The people of thisarea speak a dialect of German. But since Tyrol was divided and SouthTyrol became a part of Italy, all the place names are in both Germanand Italian.

Anyway… I once worked for Greenpeace many years ago, where I meta young woman who melted my heart. We met while on a retreat inCalifornia’s Yosemite National Park. After the retreat, she returned tothe Colorado Greenpeace office, and eventually went back to school inNew York state. I returned to the San Diego Greenpeace Office, andeventually went back to my home in the Yukon, Canada.

Over the months we stayed in touch. Soon we discovered that wewould both be close again. She was going to study art in Florence,Italy, and I was going to live in Munich, Germany performing with arock band called “Marching Powder”… ahhhh yes, Marching Powder… butthat’s another story.

When we were both in Europe, we made arrangements to meet in aplace that was close to being between Florence and Munich. This was theSouth Tyrolian town called “Brixen” in German, or “Bressanone” inItalian. Bressanone is a beautiful town surrounded by small villageshigh in the mountain valleys with churches ringing and sheep in themeadows, and the awesome peaks of the Dolomite mountains toweringbeyond.

We spent several days exploring the mountain villages and eachother’s hearts. And when the day came for her to return, I took her toa train station in a nearby village, and we said goodbye. It was verysad to be going our own ways again. With tears in my eyes, I got on abus and headed for the train station in Bressanone. During the short 40minute bus ride, I fell asleep. And while I slept, I had a dream inwhich I could hear this song, complete with the words and music. When Iawoke, I got off the train and went to the nearest coffee shop to writethe words and music on a napkin, so I would not forget.

It was years later when I finally recorded the song. I will alwayshave a place in my heart for her… and for that village… and forthis song.

Thank you for listening. Now… off to bed with you!

Matthew

Tags: music