Adiemus

Album: Songs of Sanctuary (1995)
Charted: 48
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jenkins is a British composer who created this unusual orchestral piece. The vocals are not real words, but sounds that Jenkins created to go with the music, essentially using the voice as an instrument. On his website, Jenkins tells the story of the song. He made up the word "Adiemus," and later learned that it roughly translates in Latin to "We will draw near." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Joss - Melbourne, Australia
  • Jenkins was working on this piece when he was commissioned to write music for a Delta Airlines television commercial. He submitted "Adiemus," and it was used in the spots, which got a great response. Jenkins then expanded the piece, eventually releasing several albums of Adiemus material. Jenkins also composed the orchestral music for the iconic DeBeers diamonds campaign featuring couples shown in silhouette and the tagline, "A diamond is forever."
  • Jenkins was a member of the progressive rock group Soft Machine between 1972 and 1984. He played keyboards, saxophone and oboe during his time with the band.
  • This was used as the theme music to the mid 1990s BBC TV program Testament: The Bible in Animation.
  • The song's vocalist, Miriam Stockley, was also a member of Praise who had an UK Top 10 hit in 1991 with "Only You." In 1997 Stockley was a backing vocalist on Katrina & the Waves' Eurovision Song Contest winning song "Love Shine a Light."

Comments: 1

  • Nik from UkOMG I am so glad I’m not going mad! I always thought it was the King of Egypt that had an amazing soundtrack and was so disappointed to not hear this song, but it was the BBC Bible series!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Is That Song Public Domain?

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.