The session singer Miriam Stockley performed the vocal parts on the first four albums. Additional vocals were provided by Mary Carewe on all but Dances of Time, which saw the introduction of the Finnish Adiemus Singers (who would later reappear on Vocalise). Extra vocals and the chorus effects were created by overdubbing multitracked recordings of the singers (in some cases up to forty times) and varying the speed of the tape. Stockley was described by Jenkins as central to the Adiemus project due to her range and intonation, however for reasons that remain unclear she was not re-engaged for Vocalise.
The Songs of Sanctuary orchestra consisted of a string section augmented by various ethnic percussion instruments, with occasional further additions such as bells, a recorder and a quena. Mike Ratledge, with whom Jenkins had played in Soft Machine, contributed to the first album as well. Jenkins added brass and woodwind for Cantata Mundi, and continued to add more diverse instruments such as acoustic guitar on later albums. From Songs of Sanctuary to Dances of Time, the London Philharmonic Orchestra was used; Jenkins later formed his own Adiemus Orchestra to perform on The Eternal Knot recordings, returning to the LPO for Vocalise.
Beyond The Century
Adiemus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pa La Su
Ra Ma Lu
Sa La Ma
Isa La Koo
Sa La Ra Ma Sa
(repeat)
Sa Va Loos
Sa Ka La Ma Sa Loos
Sa Pa La Ma
Pa La Sa Ma
(repeat)
Oo La Ma Sa
Oo La Ma Sa
Oo Ma Sa La Ma Sa
Oo Ma Sa Va
(repeat)
(instrumental break)
Ah Koos
Sa Va Loos
Sa Ka La Ma Sa Loos
Sa Pa La Ma
Pa La Sa Ma
(repeat)
Ra Ta...
Eh Ra Ka Ra Ma Ra Ka
Ra Weh Ah
Ba Keh Ah
Ma Na
(repeat)
(instrumental fanfare)
Eh Ra Ka Ra Ma Ra Ka
Ra Weh Ah
Ba Keh Ah
Ma Na
(instrumental fanfare)
Ma Na Ka Reh
Ma Ka
(repeat)
The lyrics of Adiemus's song "Beyond the Century" are a mix of invented syllables and sounds that create a choral soundscape that opens up space and time beyond the known century. The song showcases a remarkable vocal performance supported by a powerful and dynamic instrumentation. The first few lines of the song are reminiscent of a chant, with words like Ah Tu, Pa La Su, Ra Ma Lu, Sa La Ma, Isa La Koo, Sa La Ra Ma Sa being repeated in a hypnotic manner. The rest of the lyrics continue in the same vein, with combinations of sounds and syllables that evoke a sense of mystery and wonder.
Overall, the lyricist of Beyond the Century seems to be suggesting that there is something more out there, beyond the limits of our current understanding. The use of non-existent words seems intentional in that it frees the listener from the burden of meanings and definitions, and opens up the song to multiple interpretations. The song's rhythmic structure, vocal layering, and sheer force make for a unique and unforgettable musical experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah Tu
An exclamation of excitement or surprise
Pa La Su
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Ra Ma Lu
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Sa La Ma
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Isa La Koo
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Sa La Ra Ma Sa
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Ah Koos
An exclamation of excitement or surprise
Sa Va Loos
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Sa Ka La Ma Sa Loos
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Sa Pa La Ma
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Pa La Sa Ma
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Oo La Ma Sa
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Oo Ma Sa La Ma Sa
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Oo Ma Sa Va
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Ah Koos
An exclamation of excitement or surprise
Sa Va Loos
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Sa Ka La Ma Sa Loos
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Sa Pa La Ma
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Pa La Sa Ma
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Ra Ta...
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Eh Ra Ka Ra Ma Ra Ka
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Ra Weh Ah
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Ba Keh Ah
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Ma Na
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Eh Ra Ka Ra Ma Ra Ka
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Ra Weh Ah
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Ba Keh Ah
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Ma Na
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Ma Na Ka Reh
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Ma Ka
Sounds without any true meaning but serve to enhance the vocalization
Contributed by Eliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
つぐみん
心の底にじわじわと沁み渡る神々しいメロディ。
Angela Gabrielle
LOVE LOVE LOVE this song and the whole album. It is so powerful and reminds me of a whole world reuniting in Love and Unity! It is especially magical when driving through the Rocky Mountains and playing it full blast!~ Thank you so much for your amazing talent and your awesome orchestra!
전현석
Angela Gabrielle 초읍동 힐스테이트 아파트
전현석
부산광역시 부산진구 부전동
WarhawkBeyond2040
If they ever made a new Black Beauty movie, this song would be a perfect fit for it because i always imagine a big horse running through woods and jumping across the fences onto the big field with the sunset. Such a powerful song and one of my favourites from my childhood
Ni Ni
i had heard adiemus before, but heard this and have been blown away by it, beautifill
Cassandra Ramsey
Gorgeous. Relaxing, soothing. Wow. I'm a fan
Márcio de Moraes
The mood of this song seems to refer us to an utopian world... Just beautiful
전현석
Márcio de Moraes 깨비키즈 동요깨비 테마동요
전현석
기아자동차