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",
Open Sky
Iona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tall and dark with countless leaves
And it whispers in the air
And it dances in the breeze
And it sways in the storm
But its hold is strong
And like the hope that's come my way
The rhythm of this world, the gift of life
The essence that can never die
The hope that's come my way
And turns me 'round to face the sky
The rhythm of this world, the gift of life
The essence that can never die
By a river crystal bright
There's a tree where waters flow
Leaves that fall for our healing
Scattered on the world below
Where angels dance and the people sing
A song of hope that's come my way
And turns me 'round to face the sky
The rhythm of this world, the gift of life
The essence that can never die
The hope that's come my way
And turns me 'round to face the sky
The rhythm of this world, the gift of life
The essence that can never die
A song of hope that's come my way
And turns me 'round to face the sky
The song of hope that's come my way
And turns me 'round to face the sky
The rhythm of this world, the gift of life
The essence that can never die
The hope that's come my way
And turns me 'round to face the sky
The rhythm of this world, the gift of life
The essence that can never die
The lyrics of Iona's song Open Sky paint a picture of a tranquil garden with a tall, dark tree covered in countless leaves. The tree sways and dances to the rhythm of the world, even in the midst of a storm, yet its hold remains strong. The artist equates the rhythm of the world and the gift of life to the hope that has come her way and has helped her face the open sky with renewed strength.
In the second verse, the scene shifts to a river where a tree stands beside it, and its leaves fall gently into the water to create a soothing effect. The leaves scattered on the world are a symbol of healing, and the artist remarks that angels dance and people sing a song of hope that has come their way. This song of hope, according to the artist, turns her around to face the sky and has become the essence of life, which can never die.
Overall, this song preaches a message of hope and healing, emphasizing the importance of being steadfast in the face of life's turmoils, just like the tree that remains unshaken even in the midst of storms. It also portrays the idea that life is a gift, and one should take comfort in the rhythms of the world, which are sources of strength and inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a tree in my garden
In my personal space, there is a tree that is very noticeable.
Tall and dark with countless leaves
The tree is very tall and has leaves in abundance.
And it whispers in the air
The tree can be heard in the atmosphere as if it is speaking softly.
And it dances in the breeze
The tree sways in the wind, demonstrating a motion akin to dancing.
And it sways in the storm
The tree remains upright even under intense weather conditions.
But its hold is strong
The tree's foundation is unwavering throughout any circumstances.
And like the hope that's come my way
Similar to a positive outlook that has recently presented itself,
And turns me 'round to face the sky
The tree causes me to look up and observe the sky above me.
The rhythm of this world, the gift of life
The consistent flow of existence, and the concept of being given life,
The essence that can never die
The core elements of living that are eternal and everlasting.
By a river crystal bright
Near a river that is vibrant and clear,
There's a tree where waters flow
A tree is located where water travels by.
Leaves that fall for our healing
The tree's leaves fall and are believed to have medicinal properties.
Scattered on the world below
The leaves are dispersed on the ground beneath the tree.
Where angels dance and the people sing
Where angels and humans alike celebrate in joy.
A song of hope that's come my way
A melody of positivity that I have encountered recently.
And turns me 'round to face the sky
It inspires me to glance up at the sky.
The rhythm of this world, the gift of life
The constant pulse of life in existence,
The essence that can never die
The fundamental features of life that remain eternal.
The song of hope that's come my way
The tune of positivity that was recently encountered,
And turns me 'round to face the sky
Causing me to observe the sky above me.
The hope that's come my way
The optimism that appeared in my life recently,
And turns me 'round to face the sky
It prompts me to look upward at the sky.
The rhythm of this world, the gift of life
The constant pattern of existence that is a gift,
The essence that can never die
The unchanging fundamentals of life that will always be present.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID BAINBRIDGE, JOANNE HEATHER HOGG
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