How Many Winters (feat. Folkshade) by Sascha Ende

Hybrid digital production workflow using licensed AI-assisted tools. Fully cleared for commercial use.

Additional Information

LYRICS

[Intro]
The snow lies quiet on the border roads
Footprints fade where the cold wind goes
Church bells hum through broken stone
Waiting for a peace not yet known

[Verse]
In the east the night still burns
Fields of wheat where the earth still turns
Mothers count the days in lines
Between the sirens and the signs

[Verse]
Men in rooms with polished floors
Speak of lines and years and wars
Promises written long or short
Ink that never stops the mortar

[Pre-Chorus]
They say the deal is almost there
But almost doesn’t stop the air
From shaking windows, breaking sleep
From digging graves too wide, too deep

[Chorus]
How many winters must we stand
With hope held tight in trembling hands
They talk of peace, they talk of land
While fire still falls on Ukraine

[Post-Chorus]
Oh, the words are close
But the guns still speak

[Verse]
Across the sea in warmer light
They shake their hands, say timing’s right
Fifteen years, they count it down
While bombs still circle towns

[Verse]
The Donbas waits behind the wire
Maps are drawn, erased by fire
Demilitarized dreams on paper
Still no silence for the labor

[Pre-Chorus]
They say tomorrow might be new
But tomorrow’s old for those who knew
The sound of drones instead of rain
The taste of dust instead of grain

[Chorus]
How many winters must we stand
With hope held tight in trembling hands
They talk of peace, they talk of land
While fire still falls on Ukraine

[Bridge]
A president says one more try
Another counts the cost too high
Some speak only across the table
Not to the ones who bleed and labor

[Bridge]
If peace is real, let it be loud
Louder than rockets, louder than doubt
Let it last longer than a term
Longer than fear, longer than the burn

[Chorus]
How many winters must we stand
Till olive trees outgrow the sand
No more lines drawn by another’s hand
No more fire over Ukraine

[Outro]
Till church bells ring without delay
Till sons and daughters come home to stay
No dates, no deals, no empty plan
Just quiet skies over Ukraine

This is a beautifully crafted piece of narrative folk music that immediately establishes a tone of profound sincerity and emotional weight. From the opening notes of the clean, finger-picked acoustic guitar, the track creates an intimate and contemplative space. The initial female vocal is breathy and vulnerable, pulling the listener directly into the story before the male vocal joins to create a rich, resonant duet. This interplay between the two voices is the heart of the track, conveying a shared experience of sorrow and hope.

The production is immaculate—everything has its place. The mix is spacious, allowing the raw emotion of the vocals and the warmth of the acoustic instruments to shine through without clutter. As the arrangement builds, the introduction of subtle, cinematic strings adds a layer of gravitas and scale, transforming it from a simple folk song into a powerful cinematic cue. This gradual swell is perfectly executed, making it incredibly useful for editors looking to underscore a building emotional arc in a scene.

Its utility for media is exceptionally strong, albeit in a specific niche. This isn't background music; it's a foreground storyteller. I see this being a standout choice for documentaries focusing on human rights, conflict journalism, or historical retrospectives. The song’s poignant and direct lyrical themes would lend incredible power to fundraising campaigns for NGOs, PSAs, or any project aiming for deep emotional connection. It’s the kind of track a director would build a key sequence around, particularly for poignant montages, reflective character moments, or the closing credits of a powerful film.

While its specific narrative might make it less suitable for broad commercial or lifestyle branding, its authenticity is its greatest asset. For any project needing to convey genuine human struggle, resilience, and a deep yearning for peace, this track is a perfect and powerful choice. The arrangement offers several edit points—from the sparse, intimate verses to the full, soaring choruses—providing versatility for different pacing needs. It’s a truly moving composition with broadcast-ready quality that will elevate any story it accompanies.