Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov, live in New York

Last modified December 18, 2008

Dear friends, this is a special release for Radio Sri Chinmoy. Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov is a very special artist; a true poet, songwriter and musician who brings his art to millions of people in both East and West. He has been called “the Bob Dylan of Russia”, because of the artistic level of his poetry and his music.

See also Interview with Boris Grebenshikov at Sri Chinmoy TV

Here are some examples of the lyrics to his songs. His poetry is rich and free, abundant with images and a philosophical nostalgia, very universal in character. It is indeed deep and wide at once:

RADIO SILENCE
It suddenly feels like a new year
Like I’m a million miles away from here
I can see some kind of light here
Although I won’t name it

I want to talk about the moonlight
I want to talk about the wild child, you know
That real wild one, dancing alone
In the middle of the whirlpool

Spinning tales about silence About radio silence
About some kind of asylum
In the middle of an empty field full of danger

It’s strange I don’t feel like I’m a stranger
I feel like I belong here
I feel like I’ve been waiting for a long time
And now I can tell you some stories

Stories about the madmen Stories about the dream-child
You know, that real wild one
Who dances alone
In the middle of the whirlpool
And I can tell you about silence
About radio silence
About some kind of asylum
In the middle of an empty field full of danger
If you want it

THIS IS A POSTCARD
This is a postcard
Saying I’m alright in this beautiful city

This is a phone call
Saying, yes, I am sleeping alone here

But the telephone lines are cut
My hands can’t hold the paper
You are on my mind

Nobody knows your name here
Except when the moon is out
And then they toss in their sleep
Crying out for you to take them
But me I cannot sleep,
I cannot dream,
My heart is shattered
You are on my mind
Once seven colors used to make men blind
Andd now we are like birds stuck in barbed wire

Precise, like sunrise
A child just like any other
Made of the bones of the earth
Fragile and deathless
Yes, I’m alright
I am a church,
And I’m burning down

You are on my mind…

FIELDS OF MY LOVE
Hello sweet victory
So nice meeting you here
Mmm, mmm
So strange when you think about it
I never did anything out of my way
I just strayed…

(Chorus)
Out in the fields of my love
Out in the fields of my love
Out in the fields of my love

Well met and thank you
I’m glad you taught me so well
It was fun being around for a while
So sad you have to stay here
Or, can you spread out your wings and fly with me…

THE WIND
Your eyes are colored like wind
Wind from the northern sea
A wave on the sand so clear
Whoever got me that far must be laughing
Alright, I can laugh as well

So sweet is your touch
May I never go free
But I’m breaking away
To return unbound
And I hear the sound
Behind my shoulder
Like the shape of the swan, gliding

And when the trees are bare
There will be nowhere to return to
But we stay, believing

Your eyes are colored like wind
Bringing incredible news
I don’t know if I’m ready

Does it matter?

Whoever cut me that deep
I love you
And here I stand, transfixed
Listening to the sound of the wind

THAT VOICE AGAIN
I hear that voice again
I hear that voice again

Seems so simple now
Now that the sky is clear
Maybe the road was tough
But at last
we’re here
I’ve nothing to hide from you
Nothing to explain
Just this vision of broken wing
And the raven cries in pain

I hear that voice again
I hear that voice again

If darkness surrounds you
I’ll be the fire
To guard your sleep
If there’s nothing to stand on
I will lay myself beneath your feet
I will show the world to you
And this world will have no stain
Just hold me now
Hold me close
Don’t let me go
But close your eyes
And look away

I hear that voice again…

RADIO SILENCE
It suddenly feels like a new year
Like I’m a million miles away from here
I can see some kind of light here
Although I won’t name it

I want to talk about the moonlight
I want to talk about the wild child, you know
That real wild one, dancing alone
In the middle of the whirlpool

Spinning tales about silence About radio silence
About some kind of asylum
In the middle of an empty field full of danger

It’s strange I don’t feel like I’m a stranger
I feel like I belong here
I feel like I’ve been waiting for a long time
And now I can tell you some stories

Stories about the madmen Stories about the dream-child
You know, that real wild one
Who dances alone
In the middle of the whirlpool
And I can tell you about silence
About radio silence
About some kind of asylum
In the middle of an empty field full of danger
If you want it

THIS IS A POSTCARD
This is a postcard
Saying I’m alright in this beautiful city

This is a phone call
Saying, yes, I am sleeping alone here

But the telephone lines are cut
My hands can’t hold the paper
You are on my mind

Nobody knows your name here
Except when the moon is out
And then they toss in their sleep
Crying out for you to take them
But me I cannot sleep,
I cannot dream,
My heart is shattered
You are on my mind
Once seven colors used to make men blind
Andd now we are like birds stuck in barbed wire

Precise, like sunrise
A child just like any other
Made of the bones of the earth
Fragile and deathless
Yes, I’m alright
I am a church,
And I’m burning down

You are on my mind…

FIELDS OF MY LOVE
Hello sweet victory
So nice meeting you here
Mmm, mmm
So strange when you think about it
I never did anything out of my way
I just strayed…

(Chorus)
Out in the fields of my love
Out in the fields of my love
Out in the fields of my love

Well met and thank you
I’m glad you taught me so well
It was fun being around for a while
So sad you have to stay here
Or, can you spread out your wings and fly with me…

THE WIND
Your eyes are colored like wind
Wind from the northern sea
A wave on the sand so clear
Whoever got me that far must be laughing
Alright, I can laugh as well

So sweet is your touch
May I never go free
But I’m breaking away
To return unbound
And I hear the sound
Behind my shoulder
Like the shape of the swan, gliding

And when the trees are bare
There will be nowhere to return to
But we stay, believing

Your eyes are colored like wind
Bringing incredible news
I don’t know if I’m ready

Does it matter?

Whoever cut me that deep
I love you
And here I stand, transfixed
Listening to the sound of the wind

THAT VOICE AGAIN
I hear that voice again
I hear that voice again

Seems so simple now
Now that the sky is clear
Maybe the road was tough
But at last
we’re here
I’ve nothing to hide from you
Nothing to explain
Just this vision of broken wing
And the raven cries in pain

I hear that voice again
I hear that voice again

If darkness surrounds you
I’ll be the fire
To guard your sleep
If there’s nothing to stand on
I will lay myself beneath your feet
I will show the world to you
And this world will have no stain
Just hold me now
Hold me close
Don’t let me go
But close your eyes
And look away

I hear that voice again…

As you all may know, Sri Chinmoy has also toured the world, offering 800 concerts from 1984 to 2007, always free of charge, to share through music the inner beauty and peace that he received through his prayers and meditations.

A few years ago Sri Chinmoy and Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov met, and a deep friendship began its eternal journey. Sri Chinmoy gave him the name “Purushottama” , which means “the Highest, He who transcends all limits.” When two great souls meet, it is wonderful. And when both of them care for humanity with a deep love, then it is a great moment that sparks new avenues of inspiration and dedication to the world at large.

Knowing of Purushottama’s deep love for peace and harmony, Sri Chinmoy invited him to offer a concert at the United Nations, where Sri Chinmoy had been offering his dedicated service since 1970. A band of Sri Chinmoy’s students accompanied him on this occasion.

When I first heard Purushottama’s music, what amazed me was the sweetness in his voice and music. It feels like God is singing a lullaby to my soul, making me feel like a child. His music is very soothing, peaceful and tender, full of affection.

We hope that Purushottama’s music will enthral your entire being and take you to that inner space where love, joy and peace abound.

Artist: Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov
Release year: 2008
Duration: 1.5 hours
Acknowledgements: Sri Chinmoy, Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov
Format: Advanced Audio Coding

List of tracks

The content on Radio Sri Chinmoy is available to share with everybody under the terms of the Creative Commons licence. Read more »

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Once you are done adding and removing songs, you can then rearrange, save and share them.