The session singer Miriam Stockley performed the vocal parts on the first four albums. Additional vocals were provided by Mary Carewe on all but Dances of Time, which saw the introduction of the Finnish Adiemus Singers (who would later reappear on Vocalise). Extra vocals and the chorus effects were created by overdubbing multitracked recordings of the singers (in some cases up to forty times) and varying the speed of the tape. Stockley was described by Jenkins as central to the Adiemus project due to her range and intonation, however for reasons that remain unclear she was not re-engaged for Vocalise.
The Songs of Sanctuary orchestra consisted of a string section augmented by various ethnic percussion instruments, with occasional further additions such as bells, a recorder and a quena. Mike Ratledge, with whom Jenkins had played in Soft Machine, contributed to the first album as well. Jenkins added brass and woodwind for Cantata Mundi, and continued to add more diverse instruments such as acoustic guitar on later albums. From Songs of Sanctuary to Dances of Time, the London Philharmonic Orchestra was used; Jenkins later formed his own Adiemus Orchestra to perform on The Eternal Knot recordings, returning to the LPO for Vocalise.
Cantus : Song of Tears
Adiemus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
sha la
ga ma ru sa
a mi
a ma vei ma
sha la
ga ma ru sa sha la ka ma
sha la
ga ma ru sa
a mi
a ma vei ma
sha la ka ma ru sa
sha la ka ma ru sa
3x:
a mi a ma vei ma
a mi a sa ma
a...
2x:
a mi a ma vei ma
a mi a sa ma
4x:
a mi a ma vei ma
a...
sha le ka ma ru sa
sha le ka ma sa
sha le ka ma ru sa
sha le ka ma sa
sha le ka ma ru sa
sha le ka ma sa
a...
2x:
sha le ka ma rusa
sha le ka ma sa
4x:
sha le ka ma rusa
a ke ya ma ya ma ya mei
a ke ya
a ke ya
a...
ma rus ma sa la te a
ma rus ma sa la te a
4x:
ma rus a sa mei a
4x:
sa mei
sa mei di a
sa mei di a
sa mei di a ma
4x:
sa mei
2x:
sha la ka la rusa
sha la ka ma sa
ga ma sa
sha la ka
2x:
sha la ka la rusa
sha la ka ma sa
4x:
sha la ka la rusa
2x:
sha la ka la rusa
sha la ka ma sa
sha la ka la rusa
sha la ka la rusa
sa...
sa...
sa...
3x:
a mi a ma vei ma a mi a sa ma
a...
a mi a ma vei ma a mi a sa ma
a mi a ma vei ma a mi a sa ma
4x:
a mi a ma vei ma
a...
background drone, repeat until end:
a mi a mi a mi a
a mi a
a mi a mi a mi a
a mi
The lyrics to Adiemus's song Cantus: Song of Tears are primarily composed of meaningless syllables, repetitive phrases, and emphasized tones. This is intentional, as the song is a part of a larger project by composer Karl Jenkins, who set out to create a new style of music called Adiemus that would be a blend of classical, world, and ethnic elements without using any lyrics that had literal meanings. The Adiemus project aimed to highlight the human voice and its capacity for creating aural landscapes and emotional experiences through non-lexical vocables.
The song's title, Cantus: Song of Tears, suggests a melancholic and sorrowful ambiance. The repetitive phrase "Sha la ga ma ru sa" sets the tone of the song with a mysterious and otherworldly melody that is enhanced by the synthesized background music. The background drone adds a haunting echo to the vocals, creating a dream-like soundscape that is both eerie and sorrowful. The song's overall mood may evoke feelings of grief, yearning, or introspection, depending on the listener's interpretation.
Overall, Cantus: Song of Tears is a fascinating example of how music can convey emotions without using conventional language. It is a prime example of how the human voice can transcend linguistic barriers and communicate on a primal, emotional level. Additionally, the Adiemus project demonstrates how traditional musical elements from around the world, including African chants, Celtic melodies, and Gregorian chants, can be fused to create a unique and compelling sound.
Line by Line Meaning
sha la
This line represents the simplicity of the song and the ease of the melody.
ga ma ru sa
The notes of the song which are melodious and pleasing to the ear.
a mi a ma vei ma
The harmony of the song that connects each note together.
sha la ka ma ru sa
The melody of the song that flows through each note.
a mi a sa ma
The harmony of the song that connects each note together.
ma rus ma sa la te a
The melancholic tone of the song that conveys sadness.
ma rus a sa mei a
The melancholic tone of the song that conveys the feeling of loss.
sa mei
The melancholic tone of the song that conveys grief.
sa mei di a
The melancholic tone of the song that conveys deep sadness.
sha la ka la rusa
The melody of the song that flows through each note.
ga ma sa
The notes of the song which are melodious and pleasing to the ear.
sa...
The melancholic tone of the song that conveys sadness.
a mi a ma vei ma a mi a sa ma
The harmony of the song that connects each note together.
Contributed by Lila Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.