Enya was born into a musical family. Her father, Leo Brennan, was the leader of the Slieve Foy Band, a popular Irish show band; her mother was an amateur musician. Most important to Enya's career were her siblings, who formed Clannad in 1976 with several of their uncles. Enya joined the band as a keyboardist in 1979, and contributed to several of the group's popular television soundtracks. In 1982, she left Clannad, claiming that she was uninterested in following the pop direction the group had begun to pursue. Within a few years she was commissioned, along with producer/arranger Nicky Ryan and lyricist Roma Ryan, to provide the score for a BBC-TV series called The Celts. The soundtrack was released in 1986 as her eponymous solo album.
Enya didn't receive much notice, but Enya and the Ryans' second effort, Watermark, became a surprise hit upon its release in 1988. "Orinoco Flow," the first single, became a number one hit in Britain, helping the album eventually sell eight million copies worldwide. Enya spent the years following the success of Watermark rather quietly; her most notable appearance was a cameo on Sinéad O'Connor's I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got. She finally released Shepherd Moons, her follow-up to Watermark, in 1991. Shepherd Moons was even more successful than its predecessor, eventually selling over ten million copies worldwide; it entered the U.S. charts at number 17 and remained in the Top 200 for almost four years.
Again, Enya was slow to follow up on the success of Shepherd Moons, spending nearly four years working on her fourth album. The record, entitled Memory of Trees, was released in December of 1995. Memory of Trees entered the U.S. charts at number nine and sold over two million copies within its first year of release. In 1997 came the release of a greatest-hits collection, Paint the Sky with Stars: The Best of Enya, which featured two new songs. Enya's first album of new material in five years, A Day Without Rain, was released in late 2000. In 2001, she contributed material to the first film in Peter Jackson's award-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy, scoring a hit with the single "May It Be." Amarantine, her first full-length recording since Day Without Rain, followed in November of 2005, and has so far sold nearly five million copies.
(Much of the above content of this biography has been taken from http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0ifoxqe5ldhe~T1.)
After the September 11, 2001 attacks, her song "Only Time" (from A Day Without Rain) was used as a backdrop in many radio and TV reports about the attacks. She initially frowned upon this use, especially when many bootlegged versions of Only Time mixed with sound effects from the attack began to appear.
Enya eventually agreed to release a special edition of the song with funds going to the families of victims. Many Enya fans, however, are resentful that her music has been linked with the attacks; an example of this occurred on a 2002 appearance on CNN's Larry King Live when images of battle in Afghanistan were shown on screen as she performed "May It Be", a song with little war connection. This sparked some complaints within Enya's fan community.
Enya is admittedly a slow worker when it comes to composing music. As a result, fans have had to wait as long as five years between albums. In September 2004, a new song, set to words from a Japanese poem Roma Ryan had written and called "Sumiregusa" ("Wild Violet") was unveiled in Japan as part of an advertising campaign for Panasonic. In announcing the new recording, Warner Music Japan stated that Enya's next album was scheduled for release (in Japan at least) in mid-November. Enya issued a press release on her official Web site on 19 September stating that this was a mistake and no new album was immediately forthcoming.
Enya was awarded the World's Best-Selling Irish Act award at the World Music Awards in London on 19 November 2006. On February 11, 2007 Amarantine won Enya her fourth Grammy when it was awarded the Best New Age Album award.
Recent Releases
In November of 2005, a new album, entitled Amarantine, was released. It won the Grammy Award for Best New Age Album for 2007.
In 2006, Enya released several Christmas-themed CDs with newly recorded material. On October 10, 2006, Sounds of the Season was released containing six songs: the previously released "Oíche Chiúin" (a.k.a. "Silent Night") and "Amid the Falling Snow", new recordings of the standards "Adeste Fideles" (a.k.a. "Oh Come All Ye Faithful") and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" as well as two original songs, "Christmas Secrets" and "The Magic of the Night". This CD was released only in the United States in an exclusive partnership with the NBC television network and the Target department store chain.
In later November two new editions of Amarantine were released. In North America, it was reissued as Amarantine - Special Christmas Edition with a second disc containing the four new Christmas songs previously issued on Sounds of the Season (the original album already had "Amid the Falling Snow" while "Oíche Chiúin" is a recording dating back to 1988 which had already been featured on numerous collections). The UK received a deluxe version of this release (Amarantine - The UK Special Edition) which also included three postcards and a copy of Roma Ryan's book Water Shows the Hidden Heart which is referenced on the original album. Canadian fans could choose from the Special Christmas Edition of Amarantine, or an EP entitled Christmas Secrets which only contained the four new songs.
Coinciding with these releases was the relaunch of Enya's official website on Nov. 2, 2006. On November 16, 2006 Enya mentioned on ITV1's that she is working on a new album. A month later, in a Japanese interview Enya said that the album will be a complete Christmas album and it will be released in the winter of 2007. There is no schedule for the release date itself.
Enya's album, "And Winter Came", was released in November 2008. It contains twelve tracks - ten brand new songs plus a newly recorded choral rendering of Oiche Chiuin (Silent Night) and a stunning version of the traditional Christmas hymn 'O come, o come Emmanuel'
How Can I Keep From Singing
Enya Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Above earth´s lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness 'round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that rock I´m clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
And hear their death knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging,
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?
Enya's song "How Can I Keep From Singing?" is a hymn-like melody that speaks of an individual's steadfast faith in times of turmoil and upheaval. The first stanza describes the singer's ability to transcend the sadness and despair of the world through music. The singer hears a real hymn, although it is far away, indicating a state of transcendence that allows for a connection to something beyond what is physically present. The hymn praises a new creation, suggesting that despite the troubles in the world, something is being created or renewed. The singer then asks, "How can I keep from singing?" indicating that they cannot help but be drawn to music's beauty and healing qualities, which the hymn exemplifies.
The second and third stanzas further express the singer's relationship to music, describing how it rings through even the toughest times, providing solace and comfort. The singer's faith in this music is unshakeable and allows them to remain calm even in the midst of turmoil. The song's final stanzas extend beyond the individual experience to imagine the power of music to support communities in difficult times. The singer becomes part of a collective group that sings, whether in times of celebration or sorrow. Enya uses soft, ethereal vocals and non-invasive, melodic instrumentals to evoke the feeling of the hymn's melody and the words' spiritual significance.
Line by Line Meaning
My life goes on in endless song
My continuous existence is comparable to an unbroken melody that never ends.
Above earth´s lamentations,
Amid the grief and sorrow that exists on Earth
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
I perceive the true and actual harmony from a great distance away
That hails a new creation.
It proclaims the arrival of a new world that is in perfect harmony and peace
Through all the tumult and the strife
Even in the midst of turmoil and struggle
I hear its music ringing,
I am able to hear its melody resounding
It sounds an echo in my soul.
It echoes through the depths of my inner self
How can I keep from singing?
How can I refrain from expressing my joy and gratitude?
While though the tempest loudly roars,
In the face of a violent and noisy storm
I hear the truth, it liveth.
I still hear the truth, and it is alive
And though the darkness 'round me close,
Even when the darkness is surrounding me
Songs in the night it giveth.
I still receive songs of comfort in my time of need
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
No matter the strength of the storm, my inner peace will remain steadfast
While to that rock I´m clinging.
As long as I hold fast to the strong foundation of my beliefs
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
Because love reigns supreme over all creation, both in heaven and on earth
How can I keep from singing?
How can I stop myself from praising and celebrating the love that surrounds me?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
Even when rulers are trembling in terror
And hear their death knell ringing,
And can hear the sound of their own downfall
When friends rejoice both far and near
As my companions celebrate their joys, both near and far
How can I keep from singing?
How could I not express my own feelings of gladness and joy?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Even in the worst of situations such as captivity and imprisonment
Our thoughts to them are winging,
Our thoughts fly towards them in support and comfort
When friends by shame are undefiled
When my allies remain unsullied by humiliation and disgrace
How can I keep from singing?
How can I resist the urge to celebrate and give voice to this unshakable love that engulfs us?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: EITHNE NI BHRAONAIN, NICKY RYAN, ROMA RYAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adaptive123
"How Can I Keep From Singing?"
My life goes on in endless song
Above earth's lamentation
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing
It sounds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?
While though the tempest loudly roars
I hear the truth, it liveth
And though the darkness 'round me close
Songs in the night it giveth
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I'm clinging
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
And hear their death knell ringing
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?
M_Michel
"How Can I Keep From Singing" just a jewel !
My life goes on in endless song
Above earth's lamentation
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing
It sounds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?
While though the tempest loudly roars
I hear the truth, it liveth
And though the darkness 'round me close
Songs in the night it giveth
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I'm clinging
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
And hear their death knell ringing
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?
fabiana paulina da silva
Minha vida continua em canções sem fim
My life goes on in endless song
Acima das lamentações da terra,
Above earth´s lamentations,
Eu ouço o hino real, embora distante
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
Isso aclama uma nova criação.
That hails a new creation.
Através de todo o tumulto e contenda
Through all the tumult and the strife
Eu ouço sua música tocando,
I hear its music ringing,
Soa um eco em minha alma.
It sounds an echo in my soul.
Como posso parar de cantar?
How can I keep from singing?
Embora a tempestade ruge ruidosamente,
While though the tempest loudly roars,
Eu ouço a verdade, ela vive.
I hear the truth, it liveth.
E embora a escuridão esteja perto de mim,
And though the darkness 'round me close,
Canções durante a noite.
Songs in the night it giveth.
Nenhuma tempestade pode abalar minha calma mais íntima,
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
Enquanto a essa pedra estou me agarrando.
While to that rock I´m clinging.
Visto que o amor é o senhor do céu e da terra
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
Como posso parar de cantar?
How can I keep from singing?
Quando os tiranos tremem de medo
When tyrants tremble in their fear
E ouvir sua sentença de morte soando,
And hear their death knell ringing,
Quando os amigos se alegram tanto de perto como de longe
When friends rejoice both far and near
Como posso parar de cantar?
How can I keep from singing?
Na cela de prisão e na masmorra vil
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Nossos pensamentos para eles estão voando,
Our thoughts to them are winging,
Quando os amigos por vergonha são imaculados
When friends by shame are undefiled
Como posso parar de cantar?
How can I keep from singing?
sailorbychoice1
My life goes on in endless song
Above earth's lamentation
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing
It sounds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
And hear their death knell ringing
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?
Jeffrey Niewinski, Author
A voice from heaven...Praise to our Lord. Our choir sings this and my heart melts with joy!
Rimuru
You still alive ?
Saleema Curtis
Hey 20 year you are blessed to grow up listening to Enya’s beautiful voice. If you have a social media platform please share this song. This song is ageless and touches souls which have no age.
Adaptive123
"How Can I Keep From Singing?"
My life goes on in endless song
Above earth's lamentation
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing
It sounds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?
While though the tempest loudly roars
I hear the truth, it liveth
And though the darkness 'round me close
Songs in the night it giveth
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I'm clinging
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
And hear their death knell ringing
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?
emily
I believe this is a Methodist song. I used to sing it every morning during chapel service at my school.
sweetsoul74
Beautiful lyrics
Catherine Wilson
Such a beautiful hymn. Written by Robert Lowry in the 1800’s.
Wang Cindy
B
Steve Otto
So timeless
Holy shit, it's a talking muffin
How can I keep from listening to her in these times of trouble and fear?
Seriously the world needs her music.