They are contemporaries of fellow Celtic artists Enya and Clannad; however, Iona's works are also influenced heavily by jazz-fusion, prog-rock and ancient Christian themes.
For Iona's 1990 debut album, the band added: drummer Terl Bryant, bassist Nick Beggs (former bassist of Kajagoogoo) and several studio musicians -- Fiona Davidson (Celtic harp), Peter Whitfield (strings), Troy Donockley (Uillean pipes) and Frank Van Essen (tuned percussion). The self-titled album received very little press, even in their home country, though a Dutch network compiled a documentary based on Iona, the band and the island.
Two years later, Iona returned with "Book of Kells", and the album was praised by North American critics
as well as those of the British Isles. David Fitzgerald left in 1992 to pursue a degree in music and, as a result, Iona lost much of its jazz influences by the following year's Beyond These Shores. The group made up for Fitzgerald's absence, however, by inviting Robert Fripp to guest on the album. Both albums also featured former Kajagoogoo bassist/stickist Nick Beggs. A contract with England's Alliance Music led to "Journey into the Morn"; the album was released in 1996 in the U.S. and Canada, and was listed among the top five folk albums in Q Magazine's Year End Review. "Heaven's Bright Sun", a live album, came the following year, then "Woven Cord" in 2000, and "Open Sky" in 2001.
Their latest release, new to 2007, is called "The Circling Hour".
iona has been a Leipzig, Germany based postrock-band from 2005-2010 that now reemerges as The Yuki Rush. https://ionanoise.bandcamp.com/album/a-noise
There is also a Romanian experimental / hip hop band who also go by the name "Iona",
As It Was
Iona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Iona of my love
May this be a place
Where Heaven's glory rests
An open well
Of timeless love
Of endless life
For Iona shall be, Iona shall be
The song "As It Was" by Iona is a beautiful tribute to the island of Iona, Scotland. The lyrics describe Iona as a place of love and eternal life where the glory of heaven rests. The singer addresses the island as "Iona of my heart" and "Iona of my love," showing a deep connection to this special place. The lyrics create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, inviting listeners to embrace the beauty of the natural world and appreciate the spiritual significance of a place that has been revered for centuries.
The refrain "For Iona shall be, Iona shall be as it was" suggests a desire to preserve the purity and sanctity of the island, keeping its spiritual heritage alive for future generations. The overall message of the song seems to be that by protecting and cherishing the earth's natural beauty, we can find a deeper connection to the divine and access a realm of boundless love and life.
Overall, "As It Was" is a deeply meditative and introspective song that encourages listeners to contemplate the beauty and majesty of the natural world and the spiritual significance of special places like Iona.
Line by Line Meaning
Iona of my heart
My dear Iona, the one who holds my heart and affection
Iona of my love
My beloved Iona, the one whom I deeply cherish and adore
May this be a place
Let this island of Iona be a sanctuary
Where Heaven's glory rests
A place where the divine presence is felt and celebrated
An open well
A boundless source
Of timeless love
Filled with love that transcends time
Of endless life
A place of eternal life, free from death and decay
For Iona shall be, Iona shall be
I declare that Iona will become this place of love and life
As it was
Just like it was in the past, let Iona be that way in the present and future
Contributed by Mila C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alyson Kelly
on Revelation
Revelation
by Iona
____________________________________________________
Waiting for the Spirit of Truth to tell
Power on Earth to stand in the face of hell
Waiting for the sky to clear
Waiting for the Son to appear
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your
Revelation
Learning the purifying flame
Regeneration after the growing pain
Longing for the words to flow
Longing for the world to know
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your
Revelation
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your
Revelation
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your
Revelation
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your, your, your
Revelation