Higher Than Hope

Album: Once (2004)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is a tribute to Marc Brueland, a good friend of Nightwish Keyboard player and the songwriter Tuomas Holopainen, who died of cancer. Tuomas said that the first line of the chorus was taken from Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers, when Legolas says something along the lines of, "The red sun rises. Blood has been spilt this night." The second line of the chorus was a brief but accurate description of what Tuomas heard on the phone as he heard Marc drift off ("Drown without inhaling"). In addition, the other vocals in this song are that of the deceased, Marc Brueland. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Dark - Sydney, Australia

Comments: 5

  • Marc from UkCould imagine Tarja & Geoff Tate doing this one together!
  • Michelle from South Yorkshire, United Kingdomi played it at my mothers funeral 18yrs ago & i sing it to myself when i'm really need my mam around me

    shelly from leicester
  • Sibella from Pretoria, South AfricaMAN! This song is so melancholising, it's painfully addictive. Beautiful, though. Heavy depressing songs are usually the best ones.
  • Sibella from Pretoria, --Good for your daughter!
  • Joe from Cochin, India.............
    "Passiontide
    An angel by my side
    But no Christ to end this war
    To deliver my soul from the sword
    Hope has shown me a scenery
    Paradise poetry
    With first snow I`ll be gone".....

    Like most of the other great songs from Nightwish, this too is pure meaningful poetry.
    That is why I keep listening to their older albums over and over again.
    But, only Tarja could have sung it the way it is.
    My 10 year old daughter too likes to listen to Nightwish instead of rap.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.