The meaning of Watermarks by Enya

Enya's song "Watermarks" is a hauntingly beautiful piece that evokes a sense of longing and nostalgia. The song's lyrics are somewhat abstract, but they seem to be about the fleeting nature of memories and experiences. Enya's soaring vocals paint a picture of a person trying to hold onto something that is slowly slipping away.

The title "Watermarks" itself suggests the idea of impermanence, as watermarks are often used to date documents or mark their authenticity, but they can also be erased or fade over time. This theme is echoed in the song's melody, which features Enya's signature ethereal soundscapes and a gentle, lilting rhythm that seems to ebb and flow like the tides.

The lyrics themselves are somewhat open to interpretation, but they appear to be about a person trying to recapture a sense of time and place. The lines "In the silence, I hear your voice" and "In the shadows, I see your face" suggest a deep longing for someone or something that is no longer present. The song's chorus, with its repeated refrain of "watermarks," drives home the idea that even our most cherished memories are subject to the erosive forces of time.

Throughout the song, Enya's vocals take center stage, weaving together intricate patterns and harmonies that create a sense of depth and dimensionality. Her distinctive vocal style, which combines elements of Celtic folk music with atmospheric electronic production, is at its most evocative here. The result is a song that feels like a sonic representation of the human experience: fragile, fleeting, and yet somehow eternal.

In many ways, "Watermarks" is a quintessential Enya song – it's a piece that blends elements of new age music, Celtic folk, and ambient electronica to create something truly unique. But it's also a deeply personal and emotional work, one that speaks to the universal human experience of longing and loss. As such, it remains one of Enya's most beloved and enduring songs, a testament to her ability to capture the essence of the human condition in music.