The 'Enya Fan Club' on Facebook has put Enya in the category '

Music - Religious'

 

What do you think?

 

Nah I don't think so at all tbh. Apart from 'How Can I Keep From Singing?' perhaps, as that was a hymn to begin with I think! Some Facebook groups have her down as "gothic", which I find quite bizarre. :(

I feel I know a little bit about this one.....

 

I'm Head of Religious Eduation in a Catholic High School in Lancashire, England. Enya's music has been used in Catholic circles really from the outset. I have been to countless masses, services, liturgies and school assemblies where she has been played.

 

Many of the instrumental pieces go very well with readings and prayers.

 

Other vocal pieces are used. How can I keep from singing is actually one I've never seen used, but plenty of others have. Pax Deorum borrows heavily from the monastic Gregorian chant style of music. Athair an neamh is a hymn meaning 'Father in heaven'. Evening falls has been used very often with the feeling of being "close to home" ie close to God. Only time has been used for the marking of the seasons, Morning Glory for the wonders of creation, Pilgrim on the theme of life's pilgrimage. We used May it be at our Year 11 leaver's assembly this year. The idea of sending them out and may a light always shine down on them wherever life takes them. Then of course you've got the explicitly Christian Oiche Chiun and Adeste Fideles.

 

I could go on and on and on.....

 

 

Ooh yeah I'd never thought about it from an RE subject point of view. They used to use Enya at assemblies and stuff at my school. Not heard one for a while now though. I didn't know that about 'Athair Ar Neamh' actually, but I can see why some of the slower ones in particular go well in masses. I would actually like 'Evening Falls' played at my funeral!

As a whole, I would not place Enya's music in that category. TMOT is the one album that I always thought was on the religious side, especially Athair Ar Neamh. I can understand the elements of religion in some of her other songs, but I really don't think it's enough to place her in that genre. Gothic is just ridiculous, I would never place her there. I would rather see Enya's music placed in "Adult Contemporary" because that covers a wide range of music. I do agree with Enya when she says her music is indeed "Enya" and shouldn't be categorized. They only have to for the charts, stores, etc.

 

Now, if we are going to mention religious (Christian), I would think Moya's music would fit there easier with her Perfect Time and Whisper To The Wild Water albums.

I feel I know a little bit about this one.....

 

I'm Head of Religious Eduation in a Catholic High School in Lancashire, England. Enya's music has been used in Catholic circles really from the outset. I have been to countless masses, services, liturgies and school assemblies where she has been played.

 

Many of the instrumental pieces go very well with readings and prayers.

 

Other vocal pieces are used. How can I keep from singing is actually one I've never seen used, but plenty of others have. Pax Deorum borrows heavily from the monastic Gregorian chant style of music. Athair an neamh is a hymn meaning 'Father in heaven'. Evening falls has been used very often with the feeling of being "close to home" ie close to God. Only time has been used for the marking of the seasons, Morning Glory for the wonders of creation, Pilgrim on the theme of life's pilgrimage. We used May it be at our Year 11 leaver's assembly this year. The idea of sending them out and may a light always shine down on them wherever life takes them. Then of course you've got the explicitly Christian Oiche Chiun and Adeste Fideles.

 

I could go on and on and on.....

Fascinating post, Ben. Thank you.

 

We like to say grace before meals, and for variety we use different languages, including one VERY long one in Latin, which was said at Formal Meals when I was at Uni.

 

Another I like to use is Athair ar Neamh. Dia linn - Father in Heaven, God bless us. Very simple.

 

People always ask the meaning. It gives me a good opportunity to bring Enya into the conversation. lol.

 

Not really!

 

As regards How Can I Keep From Singing, this is indeed a hymn, but with specific references to God or Christ removed. I believe Lowry's original words went like this -

 

What though my joys and comforts die?

The Lord my Savior liveth;

What though the darkness gather round!

Songs in the night He giveth:

No storm can shake my inmost calm

While to that refuge clinging;

Since Christ is Lord of Heav’n and earth,

How can I keep from singing?

 

Enya's 'Since love is Lord of Heaven and earth' is great. IMO It doesn't diminish its meaning in the slightest.

 

So is Enya's music religious? It can be if you want it to be.

 

:teresa: