Translations for A Day Without Rain

Lyrics by Roma Ryan, Irish adaptation by Enya.


Tempus Vernum

Latin [1]
Tempus Vernum Spring Time
Ergo,
oceanus, maritimus,
ergo
opacare, matutinus,
ergo
septentrio, meridies,
ergo
occidens et orientis,
ergo
oceanus, maritimus,
opacare, matutinus,
septentrio, meridies,
occidens et orientis,
ergo
terra, stella,
hiems et aestas,
ergo
autumnus et
tempus vernum,
ergo
radius solis
et umbra,
ignis, aqua,
caelum, luna,
terra, stella,
hierns et aestas,
autumnus et
tempus vernum...

tempus vernum...
Therefore, [2]
ocean, sea, [3]
therefore
dusk, dawn, [4]
therefore
north, south,
therefore
west and east,
therefore
ocean, sea,
dusk, dawn,
north, south,
west and east,
therefore
earth, star,
winter and summer,
therefore
autumn and
spring time
therefore
ray of the sun
and shade,
fire, water,
sky, moon,
earth, star,
winter and summer
autumn and
spring time...

spring time...
  1. The Latin is "stream of consciousness" rather than grammatical, causing all sorts of translation problems. But the intent is clear: a contrast of various elements comes across clearly. The first lines are the most perplexing, but their meaning is clearer if we start with "septentrio, meridies" in line 12 and work from there.
  2. "ergo" means "therefore" - rather unpoetic in English; my "guess" is that the English "behold" is what Roma Ryan had in mind.
  3. "oceanus, maritimus" is redundant: both refer to the ocean; since the later verses all imply contrast, perhaps Roma Ryan is saying something like "deep ocean, coastal water" here.
  4. "opacare, matutinus" is the most puzzling of all: "opacare" means literally "to shade" something, while "matutinus" is an adjective meaning "of the morning".

Deora Ar Mo Chroí

Irish Gaelic
Deora Ar Mo Chroí
Tears on My Heart
Ba dheas an lá go hoíche
Na glórtha binne i mo thaobh
'S aoibhneas i gach áit gan gruaim
Áthas ar mo chroí go deo
He-a-ro
He-a-o-ro

Má shiúlaim ó na laethe beo
An ghrian 's an ghealach ar mo chúl
Níl uaim ach smaointe ó mo shaoil
Deora ar mo chroí go brón
He-a-ro
He-a-ro
He-a-o-ro
It was beautiful all day [1]
The sweet voices by my side
And beauty without dispair everywhere
Joy in my heart forever
He-a-ro
He-a-o-ro

If I walk from the alive days
The sun and the moon behind me [2]
I'll only need thoughts from my life
Tears sorrowfully on my heart
He-a-ro
He-a-ro
He-a-o-ro
  1. Literally, "It was a beautiful day til night/nightfall".
  2. Literally, "... on my back".

Isobella

Irish Gaelic
Isobella
Title Translation
I do bheatha sa tús, sa deireadh,
I do bheatha sa tús, sa deireadh.
Isobella, o
Isobella, o

I do lá 's tú go sámh
I do lá 's tú go fíor.
Grá anois go deo na ndeor.

I do bheatha sa tús, sa deireadh
I do bheatha sa tús, sa deireadh
Isobella, o
Isobella, o

I do lá 's tú gan buairt
I do lá 's tú gan brón
Grá, anois go deo
Grá, anois go deo na ndeor.
In your life in the beginning, in the end
In your life in the beginning, in the end
Isobella, o
Isobella, o

In your day while you were so peaceful,
In your day while you were so true,
Love, now forever and ever,

In your life in the beginning, in the end
In your life in the beginning, in the end
Isobella, o
Isobella, o

In your day while you were without trouble, [2]
In your day while you were without sorrow,
Love, now forever,
Love, now forever and ever,
  1. The First Of Autumn is replaced by Isobella on an edition of this album published in Japan.
  2. "buairt" could also mean distress, sadness, or sorrow.



Credits

Tempus Vernum
Translation by Phyllis Forsyth.
Deora Ar Mo Chroí
Translation by Willie Arbuckle.
Isobella
Translation by Willie Arbuckle.


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29 Jan 2001 - Maintained by Daniel Quinlan