"Book Of Days" is a song by Irish musician, songwriter and singer Enya. The original version, included on her 1991 third album Shepherd Moons, is sung in Irish Gaelic. The subsequent 1992 single version is bilingual, with new English lyrics; this version was recorded for Ron Howard's film Far And Away, and scenes from the film feature in the video. The bilingual English-Irish version replaced the original pure Gaelic version on subsequent pressings of Shepherd Moons from mid-1992 onwards, making the original recording relatively rare.
Despite being nominated for a Razzie, "Book Of Days" became Enya's second top-ten single on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 10, and reached number 12 on the Irish Singles Chart. It was used as a temp track during the editing of James Cameron's film Titanic, for the scene eventually accompanied by the musical cue called "Take Her To Sea, Mr. Murdoch" on the finished soundtrack by James Horner. The song was used in a Toyota advertising campaign for the Carina E in the UK in the early 1990s. It was also used as background music during the Medal Ceremonies at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin and Tuck Everlasting trailer. Additionally, the Gaelic version of "Book Of Days" was used as the title sequence of the Japanese film Calmi Cuori Appassionati (2001). It was also used in the “Endgame” episode of Robot Chicken, when Fabio takes the nerd to infinity and beyond and was also used in the Billy Elliot (2000), Marvin's Room (1996) and in the comedy film Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy (2004) trailers.[1]
Lyrics[]
One day, one night, one moment
My dreams could be, tomorrow
One step, one fall, one falter
East or west, over earth or by ocean
One way to be my journey
This way could be my book of days
O la go la, mo thuras
An bealach fada romham
O oiche go hoiche, mo thuras
Na scealta nach mbeidh a choich
No day, no night, no moment
Can hold me back from trying
I'll flag, I'll fall, I'll falter
I'll find my day may be
Far and away
Far and away
One day, one night, one moment
With a dream to believe in
One step, one fall, one falter
And a new earth across a wide ocean
This way became my journey
This day ends together
Far and away
This day ends together
Far and away
Far and away
Scans[]
Tracklist[]
UK 7-inch and cassette single[]
- "Book Of Days" 2:55
- "As Baile" 4:03
UK CD1[]
- "Book Of Days" 2:55
- "As Baile" 4:03
- "Morning Glory" 2:27
UK CD2[]
- "Book Of Days" 2:55
- "Watermark" 2:25
- "On Your Shore" 3:59
- "Exile" 4:23
Australian CD single[]
- "Book Of Days" 2:55
- "On Your Shore" 3:59
- "As Baile" 4:03
Japanese maxi-CD Single[]
- "Book Of Days" 2:55
- "As Baile" 4:03
- "Angeles" 4:57
- "Oriel Window" 2:22
- "'S Fágaim Mo Bhaile" 3:57
- "Caribbean Blue" 3:40
Critical Reception[]
Ned Raggett from AllMusic stated that the singer's "trademark understated drama [are] in full flow" on the "wonderful" song. Gavin Report wrote, "This is a melodic and harmonic masterpiece with all the elements to make it a classic." Music & Media said, "Taken from the motion picture Far and Away, this is the sung version of the original ethereal Clannad instrumental." Music Week commented, that Enya's "latest sonic soundscape, Book Of Days, is typically mellifluous. Multi-textured yet as light as air".
Charts[]
Weekly Charts[]
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 111 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 26 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 12 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 34 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 19 |