And Winter Came... (2008)

Album Overview

Irish singer and composer Enya released her seventh studio album, And Winter Came..., in November 2008.

Issued internationally by Warner Bros. Records on 7 November 2008 and by Reprise Records in the United States on 11 November 2008, the album immerses listeners in a rich seasonal ambiance.

Recorded between 2006 and 2008 at Aigle Studio in Killiney, County Dublin, the collection features ten original English tracks alongside traditional carols and instrumentals.

Stream or download Enya songs

Commercial Success

The album achieved massive commercial success worldwide, selling over 3,000,000 copies globally.

It debuted at #6 on the UK Albums Chart and #8 on the US Billboard 200, while reaching the top 10 in 21 countries within three weeks of release.

UK Debut: #6 on 16 November 2008 with 35,812 copies sold in its first week.
US Charts: #8 on the Billboard 200 with 92,000 first-week copies, certified Gold by the RIAA with over 920,000 sales.
Billboard Highlights: Spent 1 week at #1 on Top Holiday Albums and 4 weeks at #1 on Top New Age Albums.
Certifications: Earned Platinum certifications in Australia, Belgium, Ireland, New Zealand, and Switzerland, alongside 3× Gold in Germany.

Concept and Production

Following her 2006 EP Sounds of the Season: The Enya Collection, Enya set out to create a full-length Christmas album combining traditional carols with new material.

Because winter is her favorite season—describing it as "very reflective" and "very calming"—Enya spent significant time developing musical sketches throughout the year.

During the recording process, Enya noted that she "didn't feel it was right to impose a Christmas theme on certain songs," leading to a broader focus on winter landscapes.

Producer Nicky Ryan noted that while they began writing for a holiday record, it evolved into "an Enya album based in a winter landscape where Christmas arrives here and there."

Lyricist Roma Ryan highlighted the seasonal philosophy, explaining that while some view winter as an ending, she sees it "very much as a new beginning."

Format and Distribution

Diverging from previous Enya album cycles that relied on physical CD singles with b-sides, Warner Bros. focused heavily on digital download releases.

Physical Single: "Trains and Winter Rains" served as the album's sole physical CD single release.
Digital Downloads: Tracks including "White Is in the Winter Night", "My! My! Time Flies!", and "Dreams Are More Precious" were issued exclusively as digital singles.
Vinyl Release: The album received its first vinyl LP pressings in the US on 20 October 2017 and in Europe on 12 October 2018.

Track Insights and Composition

The album showcases a mix of original winter themes, vocal arrangements, and traditional sacred carols.

Original Highlights

"And Winter Came...": An instrumental track rearranged from "Midnight Blue" (the B-side to 2000's "Wild Child"), chosen as the opener to set an autumn-to-winter transition.
"Trains and Winter Rains": Enya's personal choice for lead single, featuring prominent percussion arrangements and a vocal line incorporating the Christian verse "Agnus Dei". Roma Ryan described it as a dark journey everyone must take when leaving home.
"White Is in the Winter Night": Conceived as a "21st century Christmas carol," incorporating lyrics that detail traditional holiday colors like mistletoe green, holly red, and candle gold.
"Journey of the Angels": Written as a slow traditional carol and dedicated to late music video director Tim Royes.
"Dreams Are More Precious": Described by Roma Ryan as a Christmas lullaby, deriving its title directly from her lyrics.
"My! My! Time Flies!": The final track recorded for the album, written as a tribute to late Irish guitarist Jimmy Faulkner. It represents a musical departure for Enya, featuring lead guitar solos by Dubliner Pat Farrell and lyrical nods to The Beatles, Elvis, and B.B. King.

Traditional Adaptations

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel": Sung in Latin from the carol "Veni Veni," inspired by Enya's memories of singing in her boarding school choir.
"Oíche Chiúin (Chorale)": A re-recording of "Silent Night" in Gaelic after 20 years, utilizing Nicky Ryan's signature "choir of one" technique to layer Enya's vocals.
"Stars and Midnight Blue": A vocals-added vocal version expanded from the earlier instrumental "Midnight Blue".
"Miraculum": Released as an exclusive bonus track for the Amazon.com MP3 download edition.

Release dates

France, Germany, Ireland: November 7
Australia: November 8
UK, rest of Europe: November 10
US, Canada: November 11
Japan: November 12
Latin America: November 17

Singles


Trains And Winter, 2008 (MP3 download on Amazon.com)	White Is In The Winter Night, 2008 (MP3 download on Amazon.com)	My! My! Time Flies!, 2009 (MP3 download on Amazon.com)

Jump to lyrics, videos list, charts and credits.

Videos

"Trains and Winter Rains"

Lyrics

Journey of the Angels lyrics

Roma Ryan

Somewhere in a winter night
The angels begin their flight
Dark skies with miles to go
No footsteps to be lost in snow

They fly to you, Oh! newborn king
They fly to you, oh! angels sing
one is sorrow
one is peace
one will come
to give you sleep
one is comfort
one is grief
one will take
the tears you weep

New star in a midnight sky
In Heaven all the angels cry
Soft wings so true
And all things they will give to you

Somewhere in a winter night
The angels begin their flight
Tonight all sing
Oh angels, a newborn king
Tonight all sing
Oh! Angels, a newborn king.

White is in the Winter Night lyrics

Roma Ryan

Have you seen the mistletoe?
It fills the night with kisses.
Have you seen the bright blue star?
It fills your heart with wishes.
Have you seen the candlelight?
It shines from every window.
Have you seen the moon above?
It lights the sky in silver.

Green is in the mistletoe and red is in the holly.
Silver in the stars above that shine on everybody.
Gold is in the candlelight and crimson in the embers.
White is in the winter night that everyone remembers.

Have you heard the boys outside
when all the girls are skating?
Have you heard their sweethearts cry
for all this time they�re waiting?

Green is in the mistletoe and red is in the holly.
Silver in the stars above that shine on everybody.
Gold is in the candlelight and crimson in the embers.
White is in the winter night that everyone remembers.

Have you seen the children playing?
Tiny hands are frozen!
Have you seen them hurry home
when suddenly its snowing?
Green is in the mistletoe and red is in the holly.
Silver in the stars above that shine on everybody.
Gold is in the candlelight and crimson in the embers.
White is in the winter night that everyone remembers.

Have you heard that bells are ringing,
ringing out their story?
Have you heard the choir singing,
Glory! Glory! Glory!

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel lyrics lyrics

Roma Ryan

O come, O come Emmanuel
To free your captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel!
To you shall come Emmanuel!

Veni, veni Emmanuel;
Captivum solve Israel,
Qui gemit in exilio,
Privatus Dei Filio.
Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel,
Nascetur pro te, Israel!

Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel!
Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel,
Nascetur pro te, Israel!

Trains and Winter Rains lyrics

EnyaTube has a video of "Trains and Winter Rains".

Roma Ryan

(Agnus Dei)

City streets passing by
Underneath stormy skies

Neon signs in the night
Red and blue city lights
Cargo trains rolling by
Once again someone cries

Trains and winter rains
No going back no going home
Trains across the plains
And in the sky a star alone

Everytime it's the same
One more night one more train
Everywhere empty roads
Where they go no one knows

Trains and winter rains
No going back no going home
Trains across the plains
And in the sky a star alone

Da, da, da, da... (extended)

Trains and winter rains
No going back no going home
Trains across the plains
And in the sky a star alone

Trains and winter rains
No going back no going home
Trains across the plains
And in the sky a star alone

(Agnus Dei)

Dreams are More Precious lyrics

Roma Ryan

Come! See! High above.
Come! See! High in the heavens
a new star shining bright;
out of the darkness comes a light.

Come! Hear midnight chimes.
Come! Hear bells that are ringing
and from some distant shore
sounds of a journey echo on.

This is the night,
they say,
everyone wants a dream.
This is the night,
they say,
nothing is as it seems.

Come! Sleep! Close your eyes.
Come! Sleep! Give me your sorrow
and I�ll keep watch for you
until the dawn is breaking through,
until the morning wakens you.

Come! Dream through the night.
Come! Dream, and then tomorrow
you�ll see your heart will know
dreams are more precious than gold.
Dreams are more precious than gold.
Dreams are more precious than gold.

Last Time by Moonlight lyrics

Roma Ryan

The winter sky above us
was shining in moonlight,
And everywhere around us
the silence of midnight.
And we had gathered snowflakes;
Remember the soft light
of starlight on snow.

Oooh, remember this,
for no-one knows
the way love goes.
Oooh, remember this,
for no-one knows
the way life goes.

We walked the road together
one last time by moonlight,
as underneath the heavens
the slow chimes at midnight,
but nothing is forever
not even the starlight
at midnight not even
the moonlight...

Oooh, remember this,
for no-one knows
the way love goes.
Oooh, remember this,
for no-one knows
the way life goes.

One Toy Soldier lyrics

Roma Ryan

One toy soldier stands alone
With his drum down by his side
One toy soldier on his own
With his drum to keep the time

He keeps the beat, a marching beat
He keeps the beat so true
He�s one small toy for one small boy
But his heart is oh, so blue

Who can mend my broken drum?
Will it be as good as new?
I must play when morning comes
If I don�t what shall I do?

He keeps the beat, a marching beat
He keeps the beat inside
While children sleep in dreams so deep
There�s a secret he must hide

For he keeps the beat, a marching beat
He keeps the beat so true
He wants to sing and hopes to bring
Happy Christmas day to you

He keeps the beat, a marching beat
He keeps the beat inside
Someone has come to mend his drum
Now his heart lights up with pride!

So he keeps the beat, a marching beat
He keeps the beat so true
When morning comes he plays his drum
Happy Christmas Day to you!
Happy Christmas Day to you!
Happy Christmas Day to you!
Happy Christmas Day to you!

The Spirit of Christmas Past lyrics

Roma Ryan

When tears are in your eyes,
It�s time to look inside:
Your heart can find another way.

Believe in what I say:
Don�t throw this time away.
Tomorrow will be Christmas Day.
Christmas Day.

So let the shadows go
And drift away like snow.
Tomorrow will be Christmas Day.
Tomorrow will be Christmas Day.
Christmas day.

So dream until the night
Becomes the morning light.
Tomorrow will be Christmas Day.
Tomorrow will be Christmas Day.

My! My! Time Flies! lyrics

Roma Ryan

My! My! Time flies!
One step and we're on the moon,
next step into the stars.
My! My! Time flies!
Maybe we could be there soon,
a one-way ticket to Mars.

My! My! Time flies!
A man underneath a tree,
an apple falls on his head.
My! My! Time flies!
A man wrote a symphony, it's 1812.

da, da, de-da, da, da, da, de-da. da da de-da day
da, da, de-da, da, da, da, de-da. da da de-da day

My! My! Time flies!
Four guys across Abbey Road,
one forgot to wear shoes.
My! My! Time flies!
A rap on a rhapsody,
a king who's still in the news,
a king to sing you the blues.

da, da, de-da, da, da, da, de-da. da da de-da day
da, da, de-da, da, da, da, de-da. da da de-da day

My! My! Time flies!
a man in a winter sleigh,
white, white, white as the snow.
My! My! Time flies!
A new day is on its way,
so let's let yesterday go.
Could be we step out again,
could be tomorrow, but then,
could be 2010.

Oíche Chíun (Chorale) lyrics

Roma Ryan
Oíche chiúin, oíche Mhic Dé,
Cách 'na suan dís araon.
Dís is dílse 'faire le spéis
Naíon beag, leanbh ceansa 'gus caomh.

Críost, 'na chodladh go sámh.
Críost, 'na chodladh go sámh.

Oíche chiúin, oíche Mhic Dé,
Aoirí ar dtús chuala 'n scéal.
Allelúia aingeal ag glaoch.
Cantain suairc i ngar is i gcéin.

Críost an Slánaitheoir Féin.
Críost an Slánaitheoir Féin.

Miraculum lyrics

This is a Japanese and iTunes bonus track. It's a comemorative song for the 20 years of the Watermark album.

Roma Ryan

o Semel canebamus
Fabulam magnae diei,
Lunae lucem in aqua
Litora, stellam, caelum.
Vela dare.
(o) Miraculum.
Vela dare. Vero.
Semel salum
sub Hesperus
Ita vela dedimus.

In hodierna die
canimus albae nivis,
lunae lecem in gelu,
lacrima et pluvial.
Vela dare.
(o) Miraculum.
Vela dare. Vero
Viatores
ecce caelum,
oceanus et terra!

Vela dare.
(o) Miraculum.
Vela dare. Vero
Ite! Ite!
Mare, mare
sub vespertine stella

Vela dare.
(o) Miraculum.
Vela dare. Vero
Et iam annus
vicesimus!
Tempus est somnium!

Vela dare.
(o) Miraculum.
Vela dare. Vero
Et fortasse
crastinus deis
vela dabimus. Vela
Vela dabimus. Vela
Vela dabimus. Vela

Translation

Miracle
Once we were singing
the story of a great journey
the moonlight on water,
the shores, a star, the sky.
To set sail,
a wonderful thing.
To sail away. It's true.
Once, the open sea
under the evening star.
And so we sailed away.

In this day
we sing of the white snow
the moonlight on ice,
a tear and rain.
To set sail,
a wonderful thing.
To sail away. It's true.
Wayfarers
see the sky,
the ocean and the earth.

To set sail,
a wonderful thing.
To sail away. It's true.
Go! Go!
The sea, the sea
under the evening star.

To set sail,
a wonderful thing.
To sail away. It's true.
For already it is the twentieth year!
Oh, time is a dream!

To set sail,
a wonderful thing.
To sail away. It's true.
And perhaps
tomorrow
we will sail away. Sail away.

Charts

Album

Country	Peak position	Certification	Sales
Argentina	8
Australia	7	Platinum	70,000+
Austria	6	Gold	10,000+
Belgium	1	Platinum	60,000+
Canada	4	Gold	60,000+
Czech Republic	2
Denmark	9	Gold	15,000+
European Top 100 Albums	2	Platinum	1,000,000+
Finland	21
France	9	Gold	100,000+
Germany	3	3× Gold	300,000+
Greece	15
Hong Kong	1
Hungary	3
Ireland	13	Platinum	15,000+
Italy	7	Platinum	85,000+
Japan	6	Gold	160,000+
Netherlands	2
New Zealand	9	Platinum	15,000+
Norway	17
Poland	16
Portugal	15
Russia	9	Gold	10,000+
Spain	2	Gold	40,000+
Sweden	4	Gold	30,000+
Switzerland	3	Platinum	40,000+
United Kingdom	6	Gold	230,000+
United States	8	Gold	920,000+

The album peaked number-one in the Billboard "Top Holiday Albums" for a week and four weeks in the "Top New Age Albums". It also peaked number two at the Billboard "Top Internet Albums".

Singles

"Trains and Winter Rains"

Chart (2008)	Peak
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks	27
Japan Hot 100	6
Italian Singles Chart	15
Belgium Wallonia Singles Chart	39

"White Is in The Winter Night"

Chart (2008)	Peak
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks	8

Credits

Produced by Nicky Ryan
Music composed by Enya
Lyrics by Roma Ryan

Executive Producer: Tom Whalley

All Vocals and Instrumentation* Performed by Enya
Arranged by Enya and Nicky Ryan
Engineered and Mixed by Nicky Ryan
Recorded at Aigle Studio

Photography by Simon Fowler
Design and Art Direction by Stylorouge
Digital Technical Advisor: Daniel Polley
Mastered by Dick Beetham at 360 Mastering London

* Lead guitar and Twelve string guitar on "My! My! Time Flies!" by Pat Farrell

"Oíche Chiúin"—Traditional. Arranged by Enya and Nicky Ryan
"O come, O come Emmanuel"—Traditional. Arranged by Enya and Nicky Ryan

"Journey of the Angels" is dedicated to Tim Royes
"My! My! Time Flies!" is dedicated to the late great Jimmy Faulkner

RECORDED IN THE DIGITAL DOMAIN BY AN ANALOGUE BRAIN

Published by EMI Songs Ltd./EMI Blackwood Music Inc. (BMI)

"Enya, Nicky and Roma would like to thank:
Diarmuid Quinn, Matthieu Lauriot-Prevost, John Watson, Bernd Dopp, Takashi Yoshida and all our friends at the Warner Music family worldwide. Thanks in particular to our Warner UK Team. A very special mention for Joanne Carrigan.

We would also like to thank Berry Klein, Derek Hobbs, John East, Lee Tobin, and Fran Malyan and Guy Moot of EMI Music Publishing. Thanks also to all our Moderators, both past and present.

Enya, Nicky and Roma would like to say a special thanks to:
Edgar Bronfman Jnr
Lyor Cohen
Tom Whalley
John Reid"