"Book of Days" is a song released in two versions, both composed and recorded by Irish musician Enya. The original version, included on the 1991 album Shepherd Moons, was sung in Irish Gaelic. The subsequent 1992 single version was bilingual, with new English lyrics; this version was recorded for Ron Howard's film Far and Away, and scenes from the film feature in the video. The bilingual English-Irish version (2:56) replaced the original pure Gaelic version (2:34)[2] on subsequent pressings of Shepherd Moons from mid-1992 onwards, making the original recording relatively rare.
Despite being nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award, "Book of Days" became Enya's second top-ten single on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 10, and reached number 12 on the Irish Singles Chart. It was used as a temp track during the editing of James Cameron's film Titanic, for the scene eventually accompanied by the musical cue called "Take Her To Sea, Mr. Murdoch" on the finished soundtrack by James Horner.[3]
Ned Raggett from AllMusic stated that the singer's "trademark understated drama [are] in full flow" on the "wonderful" song.[4]Gavin Report wrote, "This is a melodic and harmonic masterpiece with all the elements to make it a classic."[5]Music & Media said, "Taken from the motion picture Far and Away, this is the sung version of the original ethereal Clannad instrumental."[6]Music Week commented, that Enya's "latest sonic soundscape, Book Of Days, is typically mellifluous. Multi-textured yet as light as air".[7]
The song was used in a Toyota advertising campaign for the Carina E in the UK in the early 1990s. It was also used as background music during the Medal Ceremonies at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin. Additionally, the Gaelic version of "Book of Days" was used as the title sequence of the Japanese film Calmi Cuori Appassionati (2001).[13] It was also used in the “Endgame” episode of Robot Chicken, when Fabio takes the nerd to infinity and beyond.[14]
