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",
Edge Of The World
Iona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soaking in the rain
Trees that rise like ghosts
Bearing people's names
And a sea that takes me
Where I do not know
But I gladly go
I've ever known
This my earthly bed
My beloved home
But the voice that calls me
To the far away
I can only trust every word you say
And here I am
Out on the edge of the world
With You, With You
Shall I leave the print of my knees
Upon the sand
This my final prayer
In my native land
Shall I turn my face
Towards the shining sea
Taste the salt of tears
For those I have to leave
The lyrics to "Edge Of The World" by Iona describe the beauty and unknown adventure of the natural world, complemented by a sense of longing to explore beyond it. The first verse contains striking imagery of mist that hangs like silk and trees that rise like ghosts, a powerful and vivid description of the environment around the singer. The sea is described as a mysterious location where the singer is eager to venture, not knowing what to expect but being excited to take the chance. The singer is surrounded by a serene environment, with sweet grass serving as their earthly bed and home.
In the second verse, the singer is called to a faraway place, leaving behind their serene surroundings. The voice that calls them is trusted, even though they cannot predict what they will encounter. The chorus contains the title lyrics "out on the edge of the world," a vivid description of the singer's position before venturing into the unknown. The last verse suggests that the singer is leaving their native land, unsure of whether they will return. The singer contemplates leaving their mark on the sand, but ultimately turns their face towards the shining sea, accepting the unknown and tasting the salt of their own tears for those they leave behind.
Overall, the song describes the beauty and wonder of the natural world, as well as the human desire to explore beyond it. The singer is torn between the familiar and the unknown, longing to discover what lies ahead while treasuring the beauty of their home.
Line by Line Meaning
Mist that hangs like silk
The mist is smooth and silky, and it adds a sense of mystery and beauty to the surroundings.
Soaking in the rain
The mist is becoming thicker and denser as it absorbs the rain, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Trees that rise like ghosts
The trees seem to be like spirits, standing tall and still, watching over the land.
Bearing people's names
The trees have been named after people, which gives them a sense of history and importance.
And a sea that takes me
The sea is calling Iona to explore and go on an adventure, without knowing where it will take her.
Where I do not know
Although she doesn't know where she's going, she's still happy to go on the journey.
But the voice that calls me
The voice is beckoning Iona to follow it, appearing to be calling her to a new destination.
To the far away
The voice is promising to take her somewhere far away, somewhere she's never been before.
I can only trust every word you say
Iona puts her trust in the mysterious voice that she feels is calling to her, not knowing what lies ahead.
And here I am
Iona has arrived at the destination where the voice has brought her.
Out on the edge of the world
She feels as though she has journeyed to the end of the world, to a place that few have seen before.
With You, With You
Iona is with the voice that called her, feeling an overwhelming sense of companionship.
Shall I leave the print of my knees
Iona wants to make her mark on the location where she has traveled to, leaving a lasting impression of her presence.
Upon the sand
She wants to leave her footprints on the sandy shoreline, so that others will know she was there.
This my final prayer
Iona is saying goodbye to her homeland, leaving it behind as she embarks on a new journey.
In my native land
She is reminiscing about her homeland, which she's leaving behind for the unknown.
Shall I turn my face
Iona is deciding whether or not to look towards the sea or back to the land she's leaving.
Towards the shining sea
She looks to the sea as a beacon of hope and adventure, feeling drawn in by the unknown possibilities that await her.
Taste the salt of tears
Iona becomes emotional as she says goodbye to her homeland, feeling a bittersweet mixture of sadness and excitement for her new journey.
For those I have to leave
She's leaving behind loved ones and familiar places, which makes her sad as she ventures into the unknown.
Contributed by Oliver R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@cala65
Mist that hangs like silk
Soaking in the rain
Trees that rise like ghosts
Bearing people's names
And a sea that takes me
Where I do not know
But I gladly go
Shrouded in the sweetest grass
I've ever known
This my earthly bed
My beloved home
But the voice that calls me
To the far away
I can only trust every word you say
And here I am
Out on the edge of the world
With You, With You
Shall I leave the print of my knees
Upon the sand
This my final prayer
In my native land
Shall I turn my face
Towards the shining sea
Taste the salt of tears
For those I have to leave
@Accolaidia777
This music has carried me through the years...God has spoken to me many times through these songs....they are apart of me. Those who have been close to me know this music.....they had no choice...lol!
@NatureGloseScience
I resonate with you! I listened to IONA through the late 90's and into the 2000's. I'm picking them up again today and I have to say...so heartwarming.
@Bpllnplppp
Me as well! ❤️
@michaelcook2459
Yep🙏
@michaelbiodrowski5812
I thought I loved Iona's music after I bought their 'Book Of Kells' album.
But this particular song drops me to my knees!
@lainieholland
Oh my goodness, what a magical way to start my day. Mystical, full of passion, love and adoration for a landscape made and inhabited by Our Lord. Thank you for bringing this to me, especially in this time of fear and indecision. Bless you Heather
@parko2112
Heather......stunning photographs which fit the mood perfectly to one of my favourite songs from my favourite band......have seen them 41 times so far! Thanks for sharing
@Myrdden71
This has always been my favorite song by Iona. So beautiful, and based on such a beautiful story.
@franklund8635
What is the story?
@Myrdden71
@@franklund8635 One of the legends of St. Brendan, who left Ireland to spread the Gospel to other places that had not heard it. One legend says that he sailed to the far west, though at that time no one thought there was anything there but the ocean and the 'edge of the world.' Legend says that one day St. Brendan returned, having visited a far off land to the west where he told the native peoples about Christ. And there are numerous other legends about him as well.