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",
Journey Into The Morn
Iona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drawing us gently through the eye of the storm
Out of the sorrow into the joy
Where we'll dwell in the highlands with Him evermore
Sealed by a promise we are called to become
Those who endure 'til this race is won
And leaving their past, heading for more
In "Journey Into The Morn," Iona sings about the transformative experience of leaving behind the darkness and sorrows of the night and moving into a new day filled with hope and joy. The lyrics express the idea that life is like a storm, and we are being led through it to a place where we can be with God forever. The song also taps into the idea of endurance and perseverance, saying that we are all called to become people who can handle the difficulties that come our way and go on to get the ultimate reward.
The lyrics are full of imagery that helps to paint a picture of the journey that the singer is describing. For example, by talking about us leaving our past behind, the song is saying that we can't move forward until we let go of the things that have been holding us back. There is also the idea of the eye of the storm, which represents a peaceful, calm moment in the midst of chaos. This is a metaphor for the times in our lives when things seem especially hard, but we can find solace and refuge in God.
Overall, "Journey Into The Morn" is a hopeful and uplifting song that speaks to the human experience of struggling to find happiness and meaning in life. It speaks of the journey we all go through towards salvation, and the trials we must overcome to reach our goal.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of the night into the morn
Moving from darkness into light, embracing new beginnings and perspectives
Drawing us gently through the eye of the storm
Guiding us through obstacles and challenges with ease and grace
Out of the sorrow into the joy
Transforming pain and suffering into happiness and fulfillment
Where we'll dwell in the highlands with Him evermore
Living in a state of divine connection, surrounded by beauty and peace
Sealed by a promise we are called to become
Empowered and inspired to fulfill our potential through a sacred commitment
Those who endure 'til this race is won
Persevering through challenges until victory is achieved
And leaving their past, heading for more
Letting go of limiting beliefs and moving towards greater things
Than our hearts can imagine the final reward
Receiving blessings and abundance beyond our wildest dreams
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alyson Kelly
on Revelation
Revelation
by Iona
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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