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Mr. Christian
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Album   $5
Musically multifaceted allusion to history's most famous mutineer. One of my better received early songs. Lyrics and album story below.
alternative progressive pop rock jazz classical political world symphonic rock
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Primary Site for Frederick's Rock Fusion Music & Philosophy
Primary site for Frederick's rock fusion incorporating elements of rock, electronic, folk, symphonic, world, blues, jazz, latin, and country influences, with lyrics based upon personal experience, informed spiritual humanitarianism, and political/religious independence. F. J. Serafim - Vocals, Electric/Acoustic/Synth Guitars, Synthesizers, Pianos, Bass & Production Hi Frederick, I liked the lyrical concept, the musical arrangements, musicianship and vocals... ....you are on the right track with your songwriting. Wishing you success with your music, Mike (Moody Blues co-founder Mike Pinder, 2018 R&R Hall of Famers) Song order is based upon technical considerations and not any intended sonic or creative merit. Licensing only upon direct contact with artist.
Song Info
Genre
Alternative • Indie
Charts
#571 in subgenre Peak #1
Charts
Peak #4
Author
Frederick Serafim
Rights
Frederick Serafim 2000
Uploaded
February 08, 2025
Track Files
MP3
MP3 10.2 MB • 320 kbps • 4:26
Lossless
WAV 44.8 MB
Character
Energy
relaxed, cool
high-energy
Positivity
dark, sad, angry
happy
Appeal
unique
radio-friendly
Story behind the song
From the album tribute to the quintessential, archetypal, "enlightened King" namesake, European Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen (1194-1250) "Stupor Mundi" (Wonder of the World), - the double excommunicated, early renaissance catalyst, who was vilified for his peacefully negotiated reclamation of Jerusalem, attempts at Christian reform, and adoption of the more advanced ideations of the Islamic world. Orphaned as a child and raised by tutors, the likelihood of his murder was at least as great as his coronation as King of Sicily, let alone Emperor of the greater part of Europe. His other accomplishments included such things as his employment of the merchant / mathematician Fibonacci, in order to replace clumsy Roman numerals with the first institutional establishment of our Indo-Arabic numerals in Europe; his founding of the first secular European university ( and 3rd overall ); the first use of proof-based empirical scientific logic in Europe; his translations of the lost Greek and Roman classical texts from the only remaining Arabic source; the writing of the first voluntary state Constitution shortly after the involuntary signing of Magna Carta; his selection of an inter-ethnic court and opposition to the persecution of Jews, and much more. Not much bloodshed though, and so not so well remembered. Much of what is known about Frederick II was written by his enemies, and even today deranged internet sensationalists love to revel in the notorious "evil" of the "antichrist" Frederick II, and today's scholars are under contemporary academic pressure to express reasonable revisionist views. Therefore, some reading between the lines is required in order to peer through his enigmatic mystique. During the 1930s, Jewish-German historian, Ernst Kantorowicz, attempted to impress Hitler with his lionization of this half German monarch, with his book "Frederick II". However, Hitler had no need for Kantorowicz, nor Frederick's lenience towards Jews, and today, scholars can't get their Ph.D's citing Kantotowicz, even if it was largely written through an exhaustive study of Frederick's Chancery letters, which expressed his most heartfelt beliefs and intentions. This book reads much like a chapter of the Bible, and that's not how academia works. Also, in the 1950's, Norman Cohn presented a somewhat similar image of Frederick II with his best-seller book, "In Pursuit of the Millennium", in which he highlights the centuries of popular European yearning for the prophetic apocalyptic "return" of Frederick II. (I wouldn't mind trying to fulfill this, but I wouldn't want to have to put too much effort into it :), plus there's a chance that a fanatical lunatic would try and kill me.) Personally, I find it very surprising how many of today's books on Frederick II manage to diminish such a colourful character by concentrating on the administrative minutiae of his reign, and diminishing the fact that his apparent misdeeds were usually a result of Papal demands, and the imposing darkness and ignorance of the times. Apparently, Frederick was also a musician with a strong predilection for trumpet fanfares, which I have sometimes employed in trying to create this musical representation of him. In 2001, while visiting Italy, through chance encounter I was invited to speak to a gathering at Frederick's tomb, thus sealing my affinity for the monarch. Stupor Mundi is often confused with the 18th century Frederick II "The Great", who attempted a similar sort of progressive reign, but with far more destructive and expensive militancy... not a big fan. He is also sometimes confused with his grandfather, Frederick I Barbarossa. However, being an orphan raised by tutors molded him into a much different creature than either of these two.
Lyrics
Oh yes when I was young and sure where I was bound The path I took was straight and clear and sound But where it led me to was a meaning misconstrued Led by people easy to see through Now, they're clear in what they claim but they're methods are a shame And the net result is something quite insane So I picked up with the ones good people long have shunned And donned the rags of history on the run And call me Mr. Christian 'cause mutiny is my story And I know there's no more glory, only shame Yes, call me Mr. Christian 'cause mutiny is my story And I pray my wretched life is not in vain There's little left I trust 'cause man worships the dust And as for me I can't control my lust And though most truth is dead let us now hang our heads And come what may for the good blood that's been shed And call me Mr. Christian...
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