Paint the Sky with Stars

Liner notes

The second [of my favourite songs] is ‘Paint the sky with stars’. The inspiration for this song was my daughter, Persia. The initial idea came from the fact that she has a star named after her. It’s in the constellation of Cassiopeia. When she was about twelve or thirteen this star was given to her, and she gave it her name. The star called Persia is star no. RAOIH 55M 27.705.D 70 57’. Sometimes, particularly in winter, I sit outside and look at the night sky. It’s a great way to let ideas breathe in your head, as it can get a little cluttered in there sometimes. I have had parents write to me, who have lost children, and who sit at night and do the same thing I do, and all their thoughts are with their children, there, in the stars. I find this song bitter-sweet now. I am fortunate to have my children, and I always think of those who have lost children when I listen to this song.
notes by Roma Ryan
Roma’s book @ enya.com, 2005

Quotes about the song

Enya: "To compose is a work that in the extreme involves me totality, a journey during which I give up imposing my rhythms. I let flow, I let the way to evolve by itself. For example, for ‘Paint The Sky With Stars’ I have been trying hard to concentrate, for a long time, to find a positive melody. Nothing to do. For weeks, I have been listening to the inside of me, I have been studying and thinking. Nothing. Then one day I played it from the beginning to the end. It came out simply like a wave, a hymn."
The Voice and the Soul, Sorrisi e Canzoni, 1997
enyabookofdays.com

Lyrics

lyrics by Roma Ryan
EMI Music Publishing Ltd, 1997

< * Enya actually sings "now who will paint the midnight star?"