Born on the 14th March 1965, as a teenager she formed the band Monsoon, and created a fusion of Western and Indian pop styles. She married Steve Coe, who became the band's producer, and along with Martin Smith, the band became a trio. They made a single album, Third Eye, in 1982, from which they had a surprise hit single "Ever So Lonely". However, resenting pressure from their record company over musical direction, Monsoon as a band dissolved and Coe and Smith set about promoting Chandra as a solo artist on an independent label.
Chandra went on to release a number of albums in the 1980s, experimenting with her voice as an instrument. In the 1990s she released three albums on Peter Gabriel's Real World label, although Martin Smith ceased to be actively involved.
In 1996 she provided vocals for a cover of Prodigy's hit "Smack My Bitch Up". In 2002 she performed the song "Breath of Life" with Howard Shore for the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers soundtrack.
She is no longer able to record, having developed "burned mouth syndrome" in 2010, which makes speech and singing so painful that she is effectively mute.
the enchantment
Sheila Chandra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm glad to meet you here
For it's on this lonely mountain
Your beauty, your beauty shines
Your beauty shines so
Your beauty shines so clear
And if perchance you ask for me
But I'll be in my rain castle
All on the mountains high
He said my pretty fair maid
I'm glad to meet you
But I'll be in my rain castle
Your beauty shines so clear
Your beauty shines so clear
Oooooooooh
Sun and dark, sun and dark
Sun and dark she followed him
Over the mountains high
Sun and dark she followed him
For his eyes so bright did shine
And he led her over the mountain
Beyond the mortal life
If perchance you ask for me
You'll not me find, you'll never me find
And she followed him
For his eyes so bright did shine
And he led her over the mountain
Beyond the mortal life
The Enchantment by Sheila Chandra is an ethereal and enigmatic composition that explores the mythical and mystical elements of life. The song begins with a conversation between two individuals, where the male speaker, whose identity remains unknown, attributes the beauty of the woman to the mountain. The mountain, often associated with strength and grandeur, symbolizes the transcendental beauty of the woman. As the song progresses, the woman, enchanted by the mysterious man, follows him over the mountains, driven by his bright and alluring eyes. The journey over the mountain, in this context, represents the unknown and the uncertainty that accompanies the pursuit of the abstract.
The song is a beautiful blend of various elements, including the soulful, haunting tonality of Sheila Chandra's voice, the fusion of ancient and modern instruments, and the enigmatic lyrics. The Enchantment reinforces the concept of life being an enigma and an intricate web of the unknown, where individuals are driven by curiosity and the pursuit of the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
He said my pretty fair maid
The man spoke to Sheila Chandra and complimented her beauty.
I'm glad to meet you here
The man was happy to meet Sheila Chandra.
For it's on this lonely mountain
The man found Sheila Chandra on a lonely mountain.
Your beauty, your beauty shines
The man admires Sheila Chandra's beauty.
Your beauty shines so
The man further compliments Sheila Chandra's beauty.
Your beauty shines so clear
The man appreciates the clarity of Sheila Chandra's beauty.
And if perchance you ask for me
The man informs Sheila Chandra that he might not be easily reachable.
Perhaps you'll not me find
The man warns Sheila Chandra that she might not be able to find him.
But I'll be in my rain castle
The man tells Sheila Chandra about his location.
All on the mountains high
The man is located on the top of a high mountain.
Sun and dark, sun and dark
Sheila Chandra followed the man during both daylight and night time.
Sun and dark she followed him
Sheila Chandra followed the man despite the challenging time of the day.
Over the mountains high
Sheila Chandra followed the man over high mountains.
For his eyes so bright did shine
The man's eyes were shining brightly, attracting Sheila Chandra's attention.
And he led her over the mountain
The man guided Sheila Chandra over a mountain.
Beyond the mortal life
The man led Sheila Chandra to a place beyond the physical world.
You'll not me find, you'll never me find
The man reiterates that he cannot be easily found.
And she followed him
Sheila Chandra chose to follow the man despite the challenges.
Oooooooooh
Unknown
Contributed by Bentley Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@haripremananda5236
And not a single breath escaped his thirsty lips
That did not have
Her
Divine Song and
Soul
Dancing upon its Deepest Longings ...
And there was a moment when
He Loved Her
Forever ...
its still with
Him now~♡
"⚘"
@ElisavetSchina
He said my pretty fair maid
I'm glad to meet you here
For it's on this lonely mountain
Your beauty, your beauty shines
Your beauty shines so
Your beauty shines so clear
And if perchance you ask for me
Perhaps you'll not me find
But I'll be in my rain castle
All on the mountains high
He said my pretty fair maid
I'm glad to meet you
But I'll be in my rain castle
Your beauty shines so clear
Your beauty shines so clear
Oooooooooh
Sun and dark, sun and dark
Sun and dark she followed him
Over the mountains high
Sun and dark she followed him
For his eyes so bright did shine
And he led her over the mountain
Beyond the mortal life
If perchance you ask for me
You'll not me find, you'll never me find
And she followed him
For his eyes so bright did shine
And he led her over the mountain
Beyond the mortal life
@ilysebell7074
Chillingly beautiful. Still hits me every time.
@Echo1010001
First heard this song while watching Long Way Down. So hauntingly beautiful. Thank you to the one who uploaded it.
@giancarlobailoni146
Che musica che voce. Magica per un mondo più comune tra noi
@merirowe382
India meets Celt
Sheila has a voice that enchants and entrances! Utterly mesmerizing
@TefnutUaRaet
This, is a Perfect song. Amazingly Beautiful...
@robertelliott-lang6691
I agree if there were no other song on earth I would be content to listen just to this for all eternity…..
@haripremananda5236
And not a single breath escaped his thirsty lips
That did not have
Her
Divine Song and
Soul
Dancing upon its Deepest Longings ...
And there was a moment when
He Loved Her
Forever ...
its still with
Him now~♡
"⚘"
@imbastyczny
One of the most beautiful songs. This voice comes from within the soul.
@user-ht4gb2fw4e
She sings to the Beloved! As Rumi did! Excellent!
@kathmandoo
Yes I think you are right. Some real Celtic influence