Enya
Miscellaneous
Watermark
Watermark (With Translation)
Cursum Perficio
Cursum perficio. I am making an end to my course.
Verbum sapienti: A word to the wise:
quo plus habent, the more [people] have
eo plus cupiunt. the more they want.
Post nubila, Phoebus After the clouds, Phoebus (1)
Iternum Over and over again (2)
Phoebus was one of the names for the Sun god,
which may be more famous as Apollo (Greek).
It is notable that the Sun is a male.
The word 'iternum' does not exist;
it could either be a misspelling for 'eternum' (eternal),
which is unlikely since it is very rare that an adjective
be used as an adverb, or for 'iterum' (again and again)
which is in fact an adverb and makes a little more sense (!!).
The meaning of 'cursum perficio' is actually best explained
by the footnote to the lyrics:
Enya was inspired by these words she saw on Marylin Monroe's
last house, where they were taken to mean "my journey ends here".
It is a rather "free" translation, but it's probably a very good
way to convey the meaning of Latin, which has a way of saying
things that is very distant from modern-day English.
The fact that those words turned out to be prophetical only
adds to the power of the song.
About This Song
"Watermark" is a haunting New Age composition that explores themes of completion, wisdom, and the cyclical nature of human desire through ancient Latin verses. The lyrics reflect on life's journey coming to an end while offering philosophical observations about humanity's insatiable appetite for more, contrasted with the promise of renewal symbolized by Phoebus (the sun) emerging after clouds. Enya's signature ethereal vocals float over lush, layered synthesizers and atmospheric production, creating a dreamlike soundscape that feels both timeless and otherworldly. The song's use of Latin gives it a sacred, contemplative quality that invites deep reflection on mortality and the eternal patterns of existence. As the title track of her breakthrough album, "Watermark" established Enya's distinctive style of blending Celtic mysticism with modern ambient music, helping to define the New Age genre for mainstream audiences.
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