Album version 3:54 English 2008

Quotes about the song

Enya: One piece has more of a childlike feel to it. The excitement of what’s happening on the Christmas day.

Roma Ryan: ‘One Toy Soldier’ is basically a children song, it’s a song about a little toy soldier. He’s a favourite toy, he’s been in the family for many years. He’s like an heirlom and, as with all thing that have been with you for a long time, he is not perfect. He’s broken. His little drum is broken.

Enya: The toy always sees itself as very new, and never sees itself as old. And it could be very tatty and very old but you love it dearly.

Roma Ryan: I finished the song with a sense you weren’t quite sure, whether or not, he would be OK on Christmas morning. And I just don’t think Enya could bear the fact that she didn’t know if he was OK, she wanted him to be OK. He is OK so, she can feel happy about that.

And Winter Came EPK, 2008
transcribed by enya.sk

Trivia

A download-only song ‘Miraculum’ has the same melody as ‘One toy soldier’ with lyrics in Latin celebrating the 20th anniversary of ‘Watermark.’

Lyrics

One toy soldier stands alone
with his drum down by his side
One toy soldier on his own
with his drum to keep the time
He keeps the beat
of marching feet
He keeps the beat so true
He’s one small toy
for one small boy
but his heart is oh, so blue.

Who can mend my broken drum?
Will it be as good as new?
I must play when morning comes.
If I don’t, what shall I do?
He keeps the beat
of marching feet
He keeps the beat inside
while children sleep
in dreams so deep
there’s a secret he must hide.

For he keeps the beat
of marching feet
He keeps the beat so true
He wants to sing
and hopes to bring
Happy holidays to you.

He keeps the beat
of marching feet
He keeps the beat inside
Someone has come
To mend his drum
Now his heart lights up with pride.

So, he keeps the beat
of marching feet
He keeps the beat so true
When morning comes
He plays his drum
Happy holidays to you! Happy holidays to you!
Happy holidays to you! Happy holidays to you!
Holidays are here again. Holidays are here again.
Holidays are here again. Holidays are here again.

lyrics by Roma Ryan
EMI Music Publishing Ltd, 2008