prayer minstrel: Iona

The 5th post in my Prayer Minstrel series, is focused around another group from childhood. This series is specifically for those pursuing their healing and spiritual renewal through musicians and musical groups who communicate the heart of Yeshua to us. For me, it has been more of a personal outlet in my healing-journey and as a musician seeking to be an inspiration to listeners the way that these artists (whom I have presented through my series) have been for me.

Building on a foundation of Celtic musical styles, progressive rock, and world beats, Iona is a British-based band that has uniquely stood their own ground since their formation in the 1980s. Their albums contain an elaborate blend of strong and varied instrumentation with ethnic instruments, soaring guitar and saxophone solos, layers of new-age synthesizer sounds, and the warm, bell-like vocals of Joanna Hogg. Their albums contain songs with many colorful layers that create a beautiful, celestial soundtrack-like landscape. I can most intimately describe each of their album as a musical journey that is both spiritually and emotionally impacting. With seven studio albums beneath their belt, they have explored and grown over their 20+ years as a band. Iona is distinctly known for their creative blend of both rock and the ancient sounds of pipes, whistles, and acoustic stringed instruments. It is precisely this creative sound that makes a powerful blend when combined with their meaningful lyrics steeped in prayer, meditation, and Scripture. Also, their strong devotion and love for the history and Iona island is embedded into the fabric of their instrumental melodies and lyrics.

 While one of their members departed in recent years, some of the members that have formed this group (as well as come and gone) are Joanne Hogg (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Dave Fitzgerald (saxophone, flutes, whistles), Dave Bainbride (guitars, keyboards, mandolin), Tim Harries (Bass, vocals), Terl Brytan (drums and percussion), Troy Donockley (uillean pipes, whistles, chimes, vocals), Mike Haughton (saxophone, flute, whistles, vocals), Frank Van Essen (drums, ethnic drums and percussion,strings, keyboard, glockenspiel), Phil Barker (electric bass, upright bass).

 Iona's reflective lyrics are coupled with the meditative hum of their layered songs. Woven into their music are snippets of Gaelic and hymns. The listener is mentally transported into the world they have shaped through their instrumental prowess. They communicate genuine prayers from the heart with Scriptural truths in a way that is mystical, yet down-to-earth.

One of the reasons the songs of Iona resonate with me is because I grew up with their music surrounding my childhood years. There is an imagination and wonder about their music that struck me even at a young age. I adore the love of their own history deeply imbedded in their devotion to the Lord and the Holy Scripture. This is what makes their album so personal, I think. To this day, Iona is a highly-acclaimed and praised band because of their innovative work and musicianship.

Joanna Hogg

Iona's albums are best listened to without interruption, each album representing a spiritual path that must be walked without distraction. One can also imagine surveying each thread of a rich, hand-woven tapestry while listening to their Celtic-Jazz-Rock fusion.

 These are a few of my personal favorite selections from Iona. May they travel to your heart as they have to mine!

 Today

Today the grass is greener
Than I have ever seen
Today the sky is bluer
Than it has ever been
And today my heart is beating
Like I've never felt it beat
And today flowers are growing
From the ground beneath my feet

Today my hope is stronger
And the vision's clearer
To walk in love eternal
The path that takes me nearer
And to You the music's playing
Like it has never done
And to You my feet are dancing
Underneath the sun

In You I live
In You I live
In You I live and breathe

 

Inside My Heart

Quietly You arrived
Never forcing me to choose
Bringing Your perfect light
Into this sunless room of mine

So make Your home inside my heart
Fill this empty house of stone
Make Your home inside my heart
Let me dance in the brightness of Your throne
Of Your throne

Looking through stained windows
I see a rose on the wall
Thorns that draw blood from Your face
I hear the agony of Your call to me

So make Your home inside my heart
Fill this empty house of stone
Make Your home inside my heart
Let me dance in the brightness of Your throne

In the stillness of moonlight
I am awakened by Your grace
And the love that glistens
In the tears on Your face for me

So make Your home inside my heart
Fill this empty house of stone
Make Your home inside my heart
Let me dance in the brightness
Let me dance in the brightness of Your throne
Of Your throne...

Encircling 

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead
His eye to watch, His might to stay
His ear to hearken to my need
(Repeat)

The wisdom of my God to teach
His hand to guide, His shield to ward
The word of God to give me speech
His heavenly host to be my guard
(Four times)

The mighty Three my protection be
Encircling me, You are around
My life, my home encircling me
Oh sacred Three, the mighty Three

 (The hymn, When I Survey)

  
The silent sun highlighting
 The breeze-kissed autumn leaves  
Like weightless coins  
Of copper and gold  
That round me tumble down  
Some touch my skin, so gentle kind  
While falling through the light  
To find in time, a place to lie  
And melt into the ground
 

And here on foreign soil I stand  
So far from home it's true  
And bathed in nature's warm embrace  
I dream of being with you
 

The singing wind, a wordless song  
That soothes my restless soul  
Like weightless feathers  
Of Your wings  
That round me covering close  
Though history has scattered far  
The hearts that seek their home  
And drawn towards Your perfect love  
To melt into the sun
 

And here on foreign soil I stand
 So far from home it's true  
And bathed in nature's warm embrace
 I dream of being with you

The silent sun highlighting
The breeze-kissed autumn leaves
Like weightless coins
Of copper and gold
That round me tumble down
Some touch my skin, so gentle kind
While falling through the light
To find in time, a place to lie
And melt into the ground

And here on foreign soil I stand
So far from home it's true
And bathed in nature's warm embrace
I dream of being with you

The singing wind, a wordless song
That soothes my restless soul
Like weightless feathers
Of Your wings
That round me covering close
Though history has scattered far
The hearts that seek their home
And drawn towards Your perfect love
To melt into the sun

And here on foreign soil I stand
So far from home it's true
And bathed in nature's warm embrace
I dream of being with you - See more at: http://www.iona.uk.com/albums/track/id/187/foreign-soil#sthash.jYUErVFf.dpuf