The Wild Swans is inspired by the timeless fairy tale by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, first published in 1838. It tells a story of courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between siblings. An important role in the story is played by the humble stinging nettle. Though feared for its painful sting, its strong fibers can be processed into yarn, making it one of the oldest textile plants in Europe. After the death of the children's mother, the king marries a beautiful new queen. Unknown to him, she is a powerful sorceress whose heart is filled with jealousy and hatred for her stepchildren. Determined to rid herself of them, she casts a terrible spell upon the king's eleven sons and drives the young princess away. From that moment, the princess's journey begins: a path of silence, suffering, and unwavering love as she embarks on her quest to break the curse and save her brothers. 🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢 [Verse 1] A princess laughed in childhood's golden light With eleven brothers cheerful, strong, and bright The jealous queen with cruel and wicked plans Turned all the princes into wild white swans [Pre-Chorus 1] With mighty wings they vanished through the sky Condemned as snow-white birds to roam and fly The young princess was driven far away To wander through the forests day by day [Chorus] Love can endure through sorrow and through pain A faithful heart will always still remain Through silent pain the truth will rise once more And break the curse that bound them long before [instrumental interlude] [Verse 2] She found the swans beside the restless sea At night her brothers stood again set free They told her of the spell they could not break And named the path that she alone must take [Pre-Chorus 2] For every brother she must knit one shirt From stinging nettles, though they caused her hurt She must not speak until each one was made Or all her work and hope would simply fade [Chorus] Love can endure through sorrow and through pain A faithful heart will always still remain Through silent pain the truth will rise once more And break the curse that bound them long before [Verse 3] She knit in silence through the darkest night Her faithful hands worked by the pale moonlight A young king saw her gentle, quiet grace And made her queen beside his rightful place [Pre-Chorus 3] She gathered nettles where the graveyards lay To knit the shirts without a word to say They called her witch, not knowing what she'd do She bore it all to see her task come through [Chorus] Love can endure through sorrow and through pain A faithful heart will always still remain Through silent pain the truth will rise once more And break the curse that bound them long before [instrumental interlude] [Verse 4] Condemned for witchcraft by the fearful crowd They led her to the stake, she spoke no word aloud Her brothers came as swans across the skies She threw the shirts on them before their eyes [Pre-Chorus 4] The spell was broken by the shirts she made One sleeve unfinished left its mark displayed Her voice returned before the gathered throng At last they knew she'd done no evil wrong [Chorus] Love can endure through sorrow and through pain A faithful heart will always still remain Through silent pain the truth will rise once more And break the curse that bound them long before [Outro] The curse was gone, their darkest days were through The royal family stood in life anew For love and sacrifice lit the darkest night And gave them back their hope and future bright
