When Peter Jackson and crew were laboring with love making the epic movie, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, it comes as no surprise that the music of Enya seemed like an appropriate addition.
Evidently, it was film composer Howard Shore that suggested approaching Enya to see if she would be interested in contributing a song to the film. Enya was elated to oblige and hence the song “May It Be” was born.
“I wanted Enya’s voice,” said Shore. “She wrote and I orchestrated, so it’s a seamless sound. Her singing grows right out of the choral music and the orchestra.”
The orchestration style of Howard Shore is so similar to the songs of Enya, that it is hard to know from whom the song ideas originated. Even the chord progressions of “May It Be” match closely to the style of Shore’s themes.
There is also a sophisticated and polished quality to both Jackson’s film production as well as Enya’s song production. Both elevate the viewer and listener’s experience appropriate to the vision of author J.R.R. Tolkien, one in which a magical and enchanting world is entered, deep with symbolism and meaning.
Enya’s musical partner and lyricist, Roma Ryan, was also an important contributor to the collaboration. She brilliantly blended English and Elvish words (from Tolkien’s Quenya language) to create the hopeful message of the song. It is a message of encouragement to those on a perilous journey, with wishes that “an evening star Shines down upon you” and that “when darkness falls Your heart will be true.”
Indeed, it is a perfect and harmonious marriage, the partnership between Enya, Ryan, Shore, and Jackson. And with the blessing of Tolkien in the world beyond this one, I am sure.
I hope you enjoy my piano cover (above) of Enya’s beautiful song, “May It Be.”