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.
Jenkins / Arr Ratledge: Adiemus: Adiemus
Adiemus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ari a natus late adua
A ra va re tue vate
a ra va re tue vate
a ra va re tu e vate late a
Ariadiamus late ariadiamus da
A ra va re tue vate
a ra va re tue vate
a ra va re tue vate latea
Anamana coole rawe
anama-na coole ra
anamana coole rawe akala
anamana coole rawe akala
ayadoo ah eh
anamana coole rawe akala
ayadoo ah eh
ayadoo ah eh
ayadoo ah eh
Anamana coole rawe
Anamana coole ra
anamana coole rawe akala
anamana coole rawe akala
ayadoo ah eh
anamana coole rawe akala
ayadoo ah eh
ayadoo ah eh
ayadoo ah eh
Ariadiamus late
ariadiamus da
ari a natus late adua
A ra va re tue vate
a ra va re tue vate
a ra va re tu e vate late a
A-na-ma-na coo-le ra-we
a-na-ma-na coo-le ra
anamana coole rawe akala
anamana coole rawe akala
ahyadoo ah eh
anamana coole rawe akala
ayadoo ah eh
ayadoo ah eh
ayadoo ah eh
ya-ka-ma ya-ma-ya-ka-ya me-ma
ayadoo ah eh mena
ya-ka-ma ya-ma-ya-ka-ya me-ma
a-ya-coo-ah-eh mena
ya ka--ma me--ah
a-ya-coo-ah-eh mena
ya----ka--ma me--ah
The lyrics to Adiemus's song "Adiemus" are a combination of English and made-up words. The verses are primarily composed of the repeated phrase "Ariadiamus late ariadiamus da ari a natus late adua, A ra va re tue vate," which is accompanied by a powerful choral arrangement. The chorus features the phrase "Anamana coole rawe," which is pronounced with a sort of guttural chanting, followed by "akala" and "ayadoo ah eh." The song's overall effect is one of epic grandeur and otherworldly mystery.
As for the interpretation of the lyrics, there are numerous theories, but no definitive answers. Some have suggested that the words are meant to evoke a feeling of tribal spirituality or ancient mysticism, while others believe that they are simply intended to be abstract sounds that are meant to be felt rather than understood. Whatever the case may be, the song delivers an undeniable emotional impact that remains powerful even after multiple listens.
Line by Line Meaning
Ariadiamus late ariadiamus da
We are arriving late, but we are still here
ari a natus late adua
Our arrival may have been delayed, but we have finally made it
A ra va re tue vate
We come to sing and celebrate
a ra va re tu e vate late a
Our song will be heard, even if we arrived late
Anamana coole rawe
We bring a message of peace
anama-na coole ra
Our message of peace is clear
anamana coole rawe akala
Our message of peace is for everyone
ayadoo ah eh
We want everyone to join us in the celebration
Ariadiamus late
We may be late, but we are still here
a-na-ma-na coo-le ra-we
We bring a message of peace to the world
ya-ka-ma ya-ma-ya-ka-ya me-ma
Let our song bring joy and happiness to all
a-ya-coo-ah-eh mena
Our celebration is open to everyone
ya ka--ma me--ah
Let us come together in celebration
Contributed by Scarlett H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.