Storms In Africa by Enya Lyrics Meaning – A Lyrical Journey Through Elemental Forces
Lyrics
Cá fhad é ó
Siúl tríd na stoirmeacha
Dul tríd na stoirmeacha
Cá fhad é ó
an tús don stoirm
Cá fhad é ó
an tús go deireadh
Tóg do Chroí
Siúl tríd na stoirmeacha
Tóg do chroísa
Dul tríd na stoirmeacha
Turas mór
Tor tríd na Stoirmeacha
Turas fada
Amharc tríd na Stoirmeacha
In the vast repertoire of Enya’s celestial music, ‘Storms In Africa’ stands out as a testament to her unique ability to transform natural phenomena and inner landscapes into haunting melodies. The song, a track from her 1988 album ‘Watermark,’ is sung in her native Irish language and offers listeners a window into a world where music and nature intertwine.
With its building orchestration and ethereal voice, Enya constructs a narrative that is as much about the literal storms sweeping across the African plains as it is about the tempests of the soul. Here, we delve deeper into the power and poetry of ‘Storms In Africa,’ exploring the layers of meaning behind its lyrical mystique.
Embracing the Storm as Metaphor
‘Cá fhad é ó’ – ‘How far is it,’ the song begins, asking a question that resonates both physically and metaphorically. Enya uses the storm as a central metaphor for life’s challenges, the trials everyone must traverse. The repetition of this question suggests a journey, a quest that is ongoing and unmeasured by time or distance.
The line ‘Siúl tríd na stoirmeacha’ – ‘Walk through the storms’ – evokes an image of perseverance despite adversity. It becomes a call to arms, an encouragement to continue moving forward, not just in spite of the storms, but because of them. This storm isn’t something to be avoided; it’s integral to the passage of life itself.
Stirring the Inner Core: Heart and Soul Resilience
Enya, through a potent blend of words and melodies, reaches into the inner core of the listener, urging an emotional awakening with ‘Tóg do Chroí’ – ‘Take your heart.’ Here, the heart symbolizes the essence of being, implying that in times of tumult, we must not forget the strength and passion that reside within us.
She follows with ‘Tóg do chroísa’ – ‘Take your hearts’ – pluralizing the word heart, which could be interpreted as a message about shared humanity. The battles fought are not solitary; they ripple through the collective hearts of people, reflecting universal experiences of struggle and rebirth.
The Epic and Eternal in Enya’s Songcraft
‘Turas mór’ and ‘Turas fada,’ translating to ‘Great journey’ and ‘Long journey,’ reiterate that life’s endeavors are both monumental and prolonged. The language invokes the timeless quality of epic tales and sagas, where heroes are shaped, not just by their triumphs but through their endurance of life’s unrelenting storms.
In applying these phrases to the African setting, Enya amplifies the sense of scale and grandeur. Africa, a continent often cast as the cradle of humanity, provides a vast canvas for her musical exploration, echoing the ancient paths that humankind has traversed since time immemorial.
The Rhythmic Pulse of Transformation
Music, rhythm, and dance are tightly woven into the fabric of African cultures, and ‘Storms In Africa’ taps into this rhythmical heartbeat. The tempo and cadence of the song itself seem to mimic the ebb and flow of nature’s forces, transporting listeners to the eye of the storm where calm and chaos coexist.
Transformation, often arrived at through conflict and resolution, is at the heart of these rhythms. Enya’s composition captures this cycle, the transformative potential of weathering the storm, and the rhythm of change that is a constant in both the external world and within the human soul.
Decoding the Lingering Echoes: The Hidden Resonance
‘Amharc tríd na Stoirmeacha’ – ‘Look through the storms’ – implores a vision that transcends the immediate turmoil. This line, delivered with Enya’s signature breathy intonation, suggests a hidden depth to the song’s message: the importance of perspective when facing adversity.
The hidden meaning perhaps lies in the wisdom of distance and detachment; the ability to observe the storm rather than being engulfed by it. This echoes the practice of mindfulness and the power of resilience – to observe the unfolding maelstrom, yet remain mentally and spiritually unshaken.
