December 2004

Dear Candice,
Crying out loudly once I was born friendless with a blue heart. From the very first time milions of wishes are always trying to pass my sea of mind. Some wishes win. Some are... cant. By born I am an observer. I like watching and listening very much than talking. And... human being is the only subject for my observation. Here's the problem ( I don't think it is really ). I am a college student here and I have a very few friends. One usually feel no interest to be a friend of mine. Because I can't gossip like them, I cant talk about movies and music all the time, I cant do anything freely ( they thiks ), I cant drive arround and wastewhole day like them, I dont like drinking and... blah blah blah. I don't like gossipping on movies, mousic or such useless things, that ghas no connection with reality. In a gossip, observing people, their attitudes, ways of talking and behaving, expression is much more intersting & attractive to me. Lastly, I want to ask you, under the above circumstances, "Is it my
fault or them? Should I change myself? or just I should dont care them?" I dunno what shall I do or what can I do to be friend or to have friend. I dunno why I wrotethese to you, I read the mails and answers in 'betweenus' section and thought you are perfect. That's all. Can you tell me please what should I do? Well above all are about me. Now about you. I want to know who composed 'village on the sand' ( music & lyric ) and 'fires at midnitht' ( music ). lastly... are you a Goddes? if Yes, then how can I worship you ( I want to )? Well. Bye.
Seikh Ahmed ( Candice's worshipper )
Bangladesh.

My dear Seikh Ahmed,
Please listen...it is nobody's fault. You have a very old soul and the wisdom of the ages. You feel on a different level than these others do. There are others like you around, its just that it takes a while to find them. But you will- I promise you that. These others that you describe...they are very new to this earth. They are more impressed and intrigued by things that are very superficial, very physical realm. They are young souls. You go much deeper and are not easily impressed. And that is a wonderful thing! They are not ready for you yet. Please, do not change your ways for them. But look upon them for the things that you like about them. Enjoy those things that make you smile in regards to themabout them. They are not bad people...just mentally and spiritually young. It is OK. Everything that you describe has mirrored me at some point...and still does. There is nothing wrong with being an observer, for wanting to watch people. Humans may be one of the great mysteries of life and are fascinating beings. I, too , am constantly drawn in to observing others... humans are very intresting creatures! You get your pleasure from a different place than they do...that's all. No one is right or wrong here- just at different levels. But I believe that the more that you wish for someone who thinks he way you do, who can relate to the level that you are at, all that energy does go out and psychically call to another who will find their way to you. You have my word on this. And you do not need a lot of friends, just one or two who really understand you is worth more than 15 friends who don't know you inside at all. You will see...the world is a very big place! And it is so difficult when you are in school to lose sight of how many opportunities there are and how many people you will meet when you graduate school. Sometimes it feels as if school becomes your whole world...because , right now, it kind of is... But there is so much more awaiting you! So much promise, so many adventures, and chances to be taken, and people to observe! And mysteries to ponder...

So if you need to distance yourself from them for now, that's ok. If they don't respect you and are mean, then you should distance yourself for a while. But if they just dont understand but they still care about you, then love them for all they can offer- but don't expect from them what they do not have to give... You have a lot to offer and they can learn from you, when they are ready. And if not them...it will be someone else. But know that you are fine, deep, strong and wise and never change... not for anyone! It would be too sad for the world to lose a gift such as you...

As for your other questions: Village on the Sand- music was written by Ritchie Blackmore and I wrote the words. Fires at Midnight was a traditional song composed by King Alfonso the 10th from the 12th century in Spain, Ritchie rearranged it to become Fires At Midnight, and I wrote the words.
Lastly, I am no goddess...just an old soul like you. This is how I know you so well. Old souls understand eachother, the sadness of the ways of the world and watching the beauty that is misunderstood here. But there is such great beauty! If you want to worship someone, worship yourself... if not for you then do it for me. Please take care of yourself. Go outside- take a deep breath...breathe in all the wonders that have yet to be discovered around you and do not let small minded people drag you down. Rise above and live to the fullest!!! That is the worshipping you should do. Appreciate yourself and never doubt. Inside, your heart you know what is right....listen to it....Besides,I believe there is a bit of the goddess in all of us...
Stay strong always...
Love and light,
Candice

Hello James,
Yes, of course... the name of that song is called "Ariel" and it was on the last Rainbow album "Stranger In Us All". It was the first song that Ritchie and I wrote together, in a more acoustic and haunting fashion, but when they were looking for songs to record they wound up liking it and using it for their album. I wrote the lyrics on it and since I was around the studio and they needed a female background voice...I was in the right place at the right time. And so it began...
Thank you for your beautiful words...
Much love,
Candice

Hi Candice,
I'm an incredible fan of Blackmore's Night and you of course. I sing your songs every day, every minute actually. I can never stop :P Even in school I simply start to sing.

I'm not that good at english, but I'm still learning. My home is Holland, and I'm just 14 years old. I also want to be a singer, but I know that my singing is not that good. It is ok, but not very.

I want to say thanks to you, because sometimes I'm in this really, really bad mood.. and if I listen to Loreley, Cartouche and Rainbow blues it just leaves my mind. :D

I have a question. On a fansite, somewhere on the net, I saw something that I never saw before. That you and Sir Blackmore (I always call him like that) were married.. I never saw it again. You are not married are you? (well, not with Ritchie..) Are you married at all?

Another question. And this is something I really get.. Well, I'm always laughing about this one. Does Sir Blackmore éver smile?
I've seen more than 200 pictures of him, and you with him, but I never see him smile.

I don't know what to write anymore. I never thought that that would happen. Writing to you was something I always wanted (besides writing to Sir Blackmore) And than I found that page on you website..

I sometimes read the emails on the page, and I always see those philosophic (never learned that word, I hope you understand it) letters. And now I'm writing this thing. ;)

Your music really inspires me. I listen to it when I draw, I'm kind of a learning artist. It's really great, but I think that you already know that.
I'm stopping now, I'll be including one of my songwritings with this mail. It's pretty long.. But I had to make it that long.. I hope that you'll send a mail back. :)

Lots of Love, Peace and Light, Always remember to Fight,

Maaike Zoelman

Dear Maaike,
Hello! Good for you- yes, keep singing...always...It is the best release for emotions. And the more you sing , the more you will be enraptured by it and the better you will get. Its all about being able to let go and ride those emotions, which is what you are doing in your writing anyway. Through singing, its the same path, just vocally. I'm glad that these songs make you happy again...

To answer your question, no - that fan site had it wrong. Ritchie (I mean Sir :o ) and I have been together for 15 years...in this lifetime anyway... We met when I was 18. But we are not married even though we are together. So, I am not married to anyone...

And yes, he does smile...but rarely. He doesn't laugh at frivolous things or silly humor, so he doesn't laugh often. But I am pleased to say that, knowing him so well, I am one of the few that can make him smile...laugh, even! And that is my pleasure because I know it is not often that he enjoys himself or is comfortable enough to do that. It means a lot to me that I can make him smile...It's well deserved.

I think that it is excellent that you have taken up drawing, as well as writing and singing. You sound like a very creative person. I very much enjoyed your poem...but I hope that you are not living that darkness too often... It is very intense and interesting- Intensity is the place that great works come from... Thank you for sharing it with me. Keep writing, singing and drawing. I wish for you some light to brighten up your darkness...if you are still there...and I hope that the song will bring the light to your shadows...
Love and light,
Candice

Hi Candice. I am a stay at home Mom of 3 kids, ages 14, 11 and 8. My husband is a huge music lover and last year played a Blackmore's night CD for all of us in the car. Your beautiful voice and Ritchie's legendary guitar work had us captivated. We quickly became interested in the Rennaissance and took a trip to the Pennsylvania Rennaissance Faire ( only a little over an hour away from where we live). It has since become a family hobby. We dress up and attend the Faire as often as we can and catch your concerts whenever you are here. My husband and I attended the show at the Theatre of the Living Arts in Philadelphia last year and in September we all dressed in our finest. and saw you at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA. My husband and I knew what a treasure your concerts are but my Children were blown away!! We sat in the first 3 rows. My daughter came up to the stage and you waved and said hello to her. Ritchie gave high fives to my 2 sons. The looks on their faces were priceless. You then were so kind and stayed to sign autographs and my children had the signed papers on their night tables when they fell into bed that night. I know you were not feeling well that night and yet had you not said anything, we never would have known. Your angel voice was as sweet as ever and your devotion to your craft and your fans is so very much appreciated. With a house full of aspiring musicians, guitar, Piano and Drums, is there any way I can obtain sheet music for some or all of your songs? My kids work best on their music when they are working on pieces that they love. I would really appreciate if you can let me know how and where I can get this. Also, I want to thank you and Ritchie and the whole gang for opening up a new world of days gone by for my family to share. 3 children of different ages combined with the busy daily schedules of activities, school and running here there and everywhere, enjoying your music and the Rennaissance Faire has given us a family activity to share with each other. Those evenings at your concerts and those days at the Faire are Precious and will be part of our family memories forever. I thank you for opening that door for us!

Love, Debbie

P.S. The opening band at the Keswick, Empty Hats was a perfect beginning to a wonderful show!! Do you think you will be stopping in at The PA rennaissance faire next season? We would love to see you there!!

Hello Debbie and a big kiss to the whole family!
I love hearing about families going together to the faires. I think it is so important for families to get involved in activities together and what better than to dress up and spend a day in another time... The kids can learn a bit of history, its feeds everyones imagination and the best part is that its a fun day spent together making memories that you will look back on for years with a warm smile. It's just so great to hear that.

Its true, I was so sick that night. I tried everything from antibiotics to vitamin C to Thera Flu and more! But I always feel its more important to tell the people what you are going through so that they know. You know, when you are up there singing you are letting your guarddown and letting people into your intimate world and its important to be honest even though you are vulnerable as well. You just hope that they will be understanding. So, thank you for your kind words- they mean so much.

Wow- sounds like you are creating your own band at home! How fantastic!! You must be so proud... Yes, we do have sheet music avaiable. Actually, songbooks per album. It isn't just for guitar- everything is in there from keyboards to drums to bass - They have included it all. We also just received the Ghost of A Rose songbooks in as well so if you click here: http://www.blackmoresnight.com/merch.html and go to item #29 you will be able to choose the book you need there.

Thanks again for your letter. Your family bond is so inspiring...
Much love,
Candice

Dear Candice,


I have just bought your new CD (Beyond the Sunset). It is wonderful music. You know I am an English teacher in Hungary and I'd like to have the lyrics of the three Christmas songs. Are they anywhere on the web? I have all of your CDs and your songs are regularly used in my teaching work.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Imre Szabo
Hungary

Hello Imre,
Thank you , I am so glad you are enjoying the music. As a matter of fact we just posted the lyrics to the Christmas songs on the lyrics page on the Blackmore's Night website or just click here to get there quickl . There you can find all of the lyrics to the songs we have written. Actually, Emmanuel and We Three Kings, as you probably know, are traditional Christmas songs but Christmas Eve is all our own! Thank you for using our music in your teachings. That is a wonderful compliment.
Enjoy the magic of the season...
Love,
Candice