Notes: Translation by Konrad Schroder.  Notes by Mauro Cicognini, Duncan Jones, Daniel Quinlan, Teresa Negrucci, and Kimmo Savolainen.

[1] To be precise, "sapienti" is the dative singular of the adjective "sapiens" (knowing or wise).  Therefore, without a noun, "sapienti" can only refer to a wise man or woman, while "to the wise" refers to more than one, which the Latin does not state.

[2] Phoebus: the Roman god of sunlight, prophecy, music, and poetry (same as the Greek god Apollo) [Lat. < Gk. Phoibos < phoibos, radiant].  When not capitalized, the sun. 

[3] This is also a modern Latin proverb meaning "after clouds (comes) the sun" or "after rain comes the sunshine".

[4] In the Watermark notes, this word is spelled "iternum", which is either a nonexistent word or a poetic form. In all probability, it is either a misspelling of "eternum" (eternal), a misspelling of "iterum" (again and again), or a poetic form meaning "journey".  Here are the various possibilities played out:

1. "Eternum" is rather clearly enunciated, but it is very rare that an adjective be used as an adverb. In addition, "E" is not a strictly accurate beginning of "Eternum" because it leaves out the preceding "A", which creates a diphthong.  It should be "Æternum".

2. Transcribing "iternum" instead of "iterum" is a common error to make, and has occured elsewhere (such as the Codex Vaticanus manuscript of Tacitus's Agricola), involving the lengthening of the tail of "r" to "n" and duplicating it.  "Iterum" also fits the tone as well as the tense, that of one tormented by the demands of others again and again.

3. Iternum means "journey".  It is related to "iter" (to journey), and the form seems to be in the genitive plural, which actually should be "itinerum", not "iternum" as written.  This should be translated as "journey" or perhaps "of the journeys" since the notes state that this song was inspired by an inscription found in the portico of Marilyn Monroe's last home, "My journey ends here".

Notes: Translation by Richard Manser

[1] "Cá fhad é ó" means "How far is it from" or "How long is it since".

[2] The verbs "siúil", "tar", "tóg", and "amharc" are imperative singular forms. There is symmetry in their use.

[3] If Enya sings "tríd", rather than "trí", her "d" is indistinct. "Tríd na" is a variant of the standard "trí na".

[4] "Ó" (from) and the definite article are normally combined into a single word: ó + an = ón.

Notes: Translation by Fidelma McGinn. Corrections from Willie Arbuckle.

Notes: Translation and notes by Dennis Ryan

[1] Dead knowledge:Probably a reference to classical education and musty libraries, just the sort of thing that would be of no interest, whatsoever, to a child. Could also mean the knowledge that comes with age.

[2] "fad ar shiúl an lá" translates into "it is long since the day is gone away". The nearest sensible English equivalent would be "those days are long past".

[3] Ochón:there is no real translation for this. It conveys great sorrow and loss.

[4] Na laetha geal m'óige:"laethanta" is the correct plural of "lá" (day). "Lae" is often used in the songs but this is the genitive of "lá" and is not correct in its use.

[5] "An bealach mór" literally translates into "the big road" or "the big way". In the context of life, this would be better translated as "the great journey".

[6] I ndán do:"in store for". I ndán dom:"in store for me". The sentence has an error, It translates into "it was in store for me that I will be happy". If "it was in store for me that I would be happy" is meant, it should read: Bhí sé i ndán dom go mbeadh mé slán.

[7] "Slán" is a word whose meaning depends on its context. Its ordinary meaning is safe or healthy.  "Sláinte" means health and is often used as a drinking salute. It also means to be in a healthy, peaceful state of mind. I have translated it to happiness here.

[8] "Bhí sé i ndán dom go mbeadh mé slán" is a statement of what she believed at that time, "happiness was in store for me". A child's optimistic view of the future.