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",
Burning Like Fire
Iona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is a dream to hold
And there are words of wisdom
For me in this all
I need the truth to guide me
I need a light to fall on me
From Heaven
Falling like rain
I need to hear your voice again
I am only human, but I have the desire
For Your divine annointing
To start a holy fire
I need the Word to keep me
I need Your love to fall on me
From Heaven
Oh in times of trouble
You will cover me
Oh in times of darkness
You will help me see You
In Iona's song "Burning Like Fire," the lyrics convey a deep longing for guidance, truth, and divine intervention. The opening lines speak of the existence of a path to follow, a dream to hold, and words of wisdom that provide direction. The singer expresses a strong need for truth to guide them and a light to illuminate their journey, hoping for something heavenly to intervene.
The chorus emphasizes this longing even more, with the singer yearning for their spiritual connection to be reignited. The lyrics "Burning like fire, falling like rain" vividly describe the intensity of their desire to hear the voice of the divine again. They recognize their inherent human limitations but crave a divine anointing to kindle a holy fire within them.
The second verse deepens the sentiment, highlighting the singer's dependency on the divine Word to sustain them and on God's love to envelop them. In times of trouble and darkness, they trust that God will provide cover and bring clarity to their perception.
Overall, "Burning Like Fire" conveys the universal human yearning for spiritual guidance and a renewed connection with the divine. The lyrics beautifully express the desire for truth, light, and love to come from heaven and guide the journey.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a path to follow
I have a direction to guide my life
There is a dream to hold
I have aspirations and ambitions to pursue
And there are words of wisdom
There are wise teachings and advice to learn from
For me in this all
These words are meant for me and my journey
I need the truth to guide me
I need honesty and clarity to lead me
I need a light to fall on me
I need enlightenment and understanding to shine upon me
From Heaven
From a higher, divine source
Burning like fire
Burning with passion and intensity
Falling like rain
Pouring down with blessings and abundance
I need to hear your voice again
I long to listen to your guidance and support
I am only human, but I have the desire
Although I am imperfect, I possess a strong longing
For Your divine annointing
To receive your sacred blessing and empowerment
To start a holy fire
To ignite a passionate and righteous transformation
I need the Word to keep me
I rely on your teachings and scriptures to sustain me
I need Your love to fall on me
I seek your divine love and affection to surround me
From Heaven
From a place of divine existence
Oh in times of trouble
During moments of hardship and adversity
You will cover me
You will shield and protect me
Oh in times of darkness
During instances of despair and lack of clarity
You will help me see
You will assist me in gaining understanding and vision
Writer(s): Dave Bainbridge, Joanne Hogg, Nick Beggs, Mike Haughton, Terl Bryant, Joanne Heather Hogg
Contributed by Mateo D. 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