Book Of Days – English Lyrics

• By: Enya

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music can be a deeply rewarding experience, and Enya's "Book of Days" offers a unique opportunity to connect with Irish Gaelic. The song's original lyrics are a beautiful expression of hope and anticipation for the day ahead. By exploring the Gaelic verses and their English translation, you can not only learn new words and phrases but also gain insight into the poetic and emotional depth of the Irish language, all while being carried away by Enya's enchanting melody.

[English]

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

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
dream /driːm/ B1	noun - a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep verb - to imagine or picture something in one's mind
journey /ˈdʒɜːrni/ B2	noun - the act of travelling from one place to another
ocean /ˈoʊʃən/ B2	noun - a large body of salt water covering much of the earth's surface
days /deɪz/ A2	noun - plural of day, a period of 24 hours
night /naɪt/ A2	noun - the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise
moment /ˈmoʊmənt/ B1	noun - a very short period of time
hold /hoʊld/ B2	verb - to grasp or keep in one's grasp
trying /ˈtraɪɪŋ/ B2	verb - making an effort to do something
believe /bɪˈliːv/ B2	verb - to accept as true or real
beach /biːtʃ/ A2	noun - a area of sandy or pebbly shore by the sea
begin /bɪˈɡɪn/ A2	verb - to start or commence
away /əˈweɪ/ A2	adverb - at a distance from a particular place or point
flag /flæɡ/ C1	verb - to weaken or lose energy or strength
falter /ˈfɔːltər/ C1	verb - to hesitate or lose confidence

Key Grammar Structures

• My dreams "could be", tomorrow

  ➔ Conditional Mood (Potential)

  ➔ The use of "could" expresses a potential future outcome or a possibility. It suggests that the dreams may come true but there's no guarantee. 'Could' implies less certainty than 'will'.

• East or west, over earth "or" by ocean

  ➔ Coordinating Conjunctions (Alternatives)

  ➔ The conjunction "or" presents an alternative. It indicates a choice between "over earth" and "by ocean". It shows that the journey could be either one or the other.

• This way "could be" my book of days

  ➔ Modal Verb (Possibility)

  ➔ "Could be" expresses a possibility or suggestion. It indicates that 'this way' has the potential to become the speaker's 'book of days', implying a journey or a life story.

• Na scealta "nach mbeidh" a choich

  ➔ Irish Relative Clause with Future Negative

  ➔ This line in Irish includes a relative clause describing 'stories' that 'will not be' ever. "Nach mbeidh" is the negative future form of the verb 'to be' in Irish, used in a relative clause context.

• No day, no night, no moment "can" hold me back from trying

  ➔ Modal Verb (Ability/Permission/Possibility)

  ➔ The modal verb "can" expresses the speaker's belief in their ability or capacity to overcome obstacles. It indicates that nothing has the power to prevent them from trying.

• I'll flag, I'll fall, I'll falter, I'll find my day "may be"

  ➔ Modal Verb (Possibility)

  ➔ The modal verb "may be" expresses a possibility or uncertainty about where 'my day' (presumably a good or important day) is located. It suggests the speaker acknowledges it is a possible outcome but is not certain.