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",
White Horse
Iona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't look down
Don't look back
Keep your eyes on the standard
Gather up your reins, feel the wind blowing
The white horse is ready to release his power
Hold your sword up high, get ready now to ride
But you must not look back
Don't look down
Don't look back
Keep your eyes on the standard
See His glory, see His glory, see His glory
The glory of the King. the glory of the King
Jesus
Don't look back
Don't look down
Don't look back
Keep your eyes on the standard
Your armour is perfect, bright and strangely light
Unhindered and fearless and ready for the fight
The horse will carry you, the hand of God will guide
His name is Revival, the standard is the cross held high
But you must not look back
Don't look down
Don't look back
Keep your eyes on the standard
See His glory, see His glory, see His glory,
See His glory, see His glory, see His glory
The glory of the King, the glory of the King
Jesus, Jesus
Gather up your reins, feel the wind blowing
The white horse is ready to release his power
The song White Horse by Iona seems to be a song about being ready for a spiritual battle. The lyrics speak of not looking back or down, but instead keeping your eyes fixed on the standard which is likely referencing the cross. The white horse is ready to release his power and the individual holding their sword up high must be ready to ride without fear for God is on their side.
The armor mentioned in the lyrics is described as perfect, bright and strangely light, signifying a sense of strength and security in one's faith. The recurring line "see His glory" may be interpreted as a call to behold the magnificence and power of God as the individual prepares for battle. The lyrics also refer to "Revival" which could be interpreted as a resurgence of faith and hope.
Overall, the song seems to encourage individuals to stay strong in their faith, hold fast to the cross and be ready for spiritual battle.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't look back
Don't dwell on the past
Don't look down
Don't lose faith or courage
Don't look back
Don't be distracted by what's behind you
Keep your eyes on the standard
Stay focused on the cause at hand
Gather up your reins, feel the wind blowing
Take control and feel the call to action
The white horse is ready to release his power
The power of faith and determination is available for you to use
Hold your sword up high, get ready now to ride
Be prepared and ready to take action
No fear of the battle for God is on your side...
Have faith and trust that things will work out for the best
But you must not look back
Stay focused on the present and future, not the past
See His glory, see His glory, see His glory
Bear witness to the glory of God
The glory of the King. the glory of the King
The greatness of God is unmatched
Jesus
The ultimate truth and savior
Your armour is perfect, bright and strangely light
Be equipped and ready to face challenges with ease and grace
Unhindered and fearless and ready for the fight
Be unafraid and resolute in the face of adversity
The horse will carry you, the hand of God will guide
Have faith that you're being guided toward the right path and victory
His name is Revival, the standard is the cross held high
The symbol of faith leads the way for the rebirth of hope
See His glory, see His glory, see His glory,
Witness the majesty and power of God
The glory of the King, the glory of the King
The infinite glory of God
Jesus, Jesus
The divine messiah and guide
Contributed by Eva A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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