Meaning of "Lazy Days" by Enya

The lyrics of "Lazy Days" speak to the appeal and transitory nature of leisure and contentment. The singer describes a lazy old day that is rolling away, emphasizing the passage of time and the desire to prolong this peaceful state. They express a hesitancy to leave this flow and return to a more active or demanding existence. The mention of a red balloon floating to the moon serves as a metaphor for happiness and dreamlike states that are ephemeral and elusive. The balloon, representing joy and carefreeness, is let fly away, symbolizing the fleeting nature of these pleasant experiences. The longing to go back to the lazy day highlights the persistent desire for tranquility and the yearning to recapture and relive those calming moments.

The repetition of the phrase "And how it sings and how it sighs, and how it never stays, and how it rings and how it cries, and how it sails away... away... away..." further emphasizes the fleeting and elusive nature of happiness. This verse suggests that even though happiness may be experienced, it ultimately drifts away, whether it be due to circumstance, the passage of time, or the fickle nature of life itself.

The overall meaning of the song can be understood as a celebration of idleness, peace, and the yearning for a state of mind devoid of responsibilities and stress. It encapsulates the human desire to escape the busy and demanding nature of life and find solace in moments of leisure and detachment.