Album version 3:05 Gaelic 1987/1992

Liner notes

The Red giant Star, Aldebaran, found in the constellation of Taurus, is the Eye of the bull. From the Arabic, Al Dabaran, it means ‘the follower’ as it ”follows” the Pleiades. This piece portrays future Celts passing Aldebaran on their journey to new territories, continuing the migratory pattern which was so predominant in their early history.

notes by Roma Ryan
The Celts album booklet, 1992

Quotes about the song

Enya: I was asked to write a piece, a piece of music to illustrate the future of the Celts, and to see, like, to imagine what the music would be like in the future. And, um, Nicky, who works with me, came up with this idea, this story where the Celts would leave this, this universe and actually go beyond, where they would go to the star called Aldebaran. And in the actual piece of music, um, I’m actually waking them all up. And the, the story is that they’re all in hibernation for so many years and they’re just waking up. And they wake up on Aldebaran.
TV Interview: To Go Beyond, BBC, 1987
enyabookofdays.com

Nicky Ryan: One of the tracks on the album, ‘Aldebaran’, was totally done in our studio, the reason being that it was totally impossible to complete the process in another studio.
Hot Press, 1987
enyabookofdays.com

Trivia

The song is dedicated to the British movie director Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise).


Music Video

A short clip featuring Enya singing ‘Aldebaran’ was featured in “The Celts’ BBC documentary.

Music video stills

Gaelic lyrics

Codladh fada,
Codladh domhain.
Éirigh! Amharc síos
Aldebaran.

Siúil liom tríd an réalta dearg.
Deireadh, deireadh an turas.
Réaltóg, réaltóg dearg.

Translation

Long sleep,
Deep sleep.
Rise! Look down
Aldebaran.

Walk with me through the red star.
The end, end of the journey.
Star, red star.

lyrics by Roma Ryan
EMI Music Publishing Ltd, 1987