I wrote the chords and melody for this song 5 years ago. It was gathering dust, until I decided to use the song for a Christmas song contest, so I wrote the lyrics that in mind, although I tried to avoid any direct references to Christmas or human culture around. Instead, I tried to have fable magic of winter in it... it was tough task to write, so the story may be a little mess, but I hope I manage to deliver even a tiny bit of that magic to you
BIAB provided, once again, great instruments for my arrangement. Unfortunately, another BIAB release without Bagpipes/Uilleann pipe RTs Wouldn't it be nice to have as many flute/pipe/wind instrument RTs as there are guitar RTs? Well, at least there was one new world instrument erhu which suits the song very well as the voice of the northern wind. I guess I have to overuse erhu as the bagpipe replacement during this year
I'm not quite sure about the correct bodhran pronunciation, but I used one suggestion I found (bow-ron)...
Vocals: Synthesizer V Natalie (lead), Synthesizer V Weina (lead+backing), Synthesizer V Asterian (backing)
Mixed in Cakewalk by BandLab
Lyrics:
The reindeers are restless the wolves sowing fright the pastures are petrified in the polar night. Gales are gathering clouds are strengthening crystals start scattering light. Swirls in the skyline a crow on a deadwood pine wait for the wizard in white.
White is the night when winter comes the change of season quiets the drums hides the tracks of hunted preys lightens up the darkest greys slows the stream of vanishing days. Calms the grieving piccolo mutes the lonely trumpet blow requiems now covered in snow. White is the night when winter comes the voice of the northern wind hums.
The fairies are fretful the woods feeling blue magic is mortified hideaways are few. Hardships confront a gnome dreaming in monochrome the softhearted underworld sound. Tears of a leprechaun are beating on his bodhran breaking the spell that has been bound.
White is the night...
Yet no sign of a sled but bells breaking the still elves relish in red head down the hill. Beings joining the joy myths, magic and glee a rapt smile of a boy chosen to see. ------------------------------ Janne
Janne, you are a master lyricist indeed and you have a command of the English language few of us have. Very enjoyable listen and the feel and synth vocals remind me of one of my favorite bands, Renaissance/Annie Haslam. I wonder if you were inspired by them.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
Wow, Janne, this was superb! Best lyrics ever! I was concerned the erhu's distinctive sound might distract but it was fine. I think I've mentioned to you in the past that Native Instruments has a uilleann pipes in Kontakt - you may already know that. Lotta Celtic Woman in this track, which I love. Fantastic work!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Small nit - the plural of reindeer is reindeer. Generally, anyway. English can be weird. Apparently some dictionaries have it both ways. And if enough people start using it that way, it becomes official.
However, there are two pronunciation problems in Tears of a leprechaun
These should be t ih r z and l eh p r ih k ao n
I'd trust Google before SynthV. Click the link, and then the speaker icon in the left side to hear it pronounced. At least, the way I pronounce it, so it must be right!
Yeow, I love the opening. Reminds of a favorite band The Pentangle. Love the vocals, the melody and the whole production. Dang, I absolutely love this song, Janne. Excellent choices of instrumentation and the perfect mix, but I keep coming back to how good that melody is.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
Janne, you are a master lyricist indeed and you have a command of the English language few of us have. Very enjoyable listen and the feel and synth vocals remind me of one of my favorite bands, Renaissance/Annie Haslam. I wonder if you were inspired by them.
Thanks BT for your too kind comment "Master lyricist" sounds very over-exaggeration, but I will certainly hang that badge on my wall
You introduced me to Renaissance already in my "The River Of Eternity" song comment thread, and I thank you for that. Hadn't heard them before, but now I have been enjoying many of their great tracks like Ocean Gypsy, Grandine Il Vento and Ashes Are Burning. So this song wasn't inspired by them, because it was written long time ago, but maybe some new songs will be
Funny how a song bed can hang around for years until something finally clicks lyrically . . . glad this one finally came together because it’s a good one. Great intro, and what follows is equally impressive. The Vocaloid is really, really good. The mix is just great all the way through. Outstanding work!
Wow, Janne, this was superb! Best lyrics ever! I was concerned the erhu's distinctive sound might distract but it was fine. I think I've mentioned to you in the past that Native Instruments has a uilleann pipes in Kontakt - you may already know that. Lotta Celtic Woman in this track, which I love. Fantastic work!
Thanks for your very kind compliments Well, best lyrics is a relative concept Yes, I know that there are many uilleann pipes choices outside BIAB, I think I have already used NI's pipes you mentioned and also Garritan's World Instruments. But authentic RT pipes would be easier to work with... and they would make me happier
And yes, I have been dreaming of some bag pipes, too!
P.S.
Wait, I found them. In Sample Tank!!
Should have known!
And they sound fabulous!
Thanks David for your nice feedback Yes, I found them also in my ST3, thanks for letting me know. Another one to try while waiting for new PGMusic RealTracks.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
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And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
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SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
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MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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Wouldn't it be nice to have as many flute/pipe/wind instrument RTs as there are guitar RTs? Well, at least there was one new world instrument erhu which suits the song very well as the voice of the northern wind. I guess I have to overuse erhu as the bagpipe replacement during this year 
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