All That We Have Ever Dreamed by Cindy L Spear and Iona

Updated Note (Sept 7th, 2021)

These lyrics have had an interesting journey. I wrote them a number of years ago and Joanne Hogg of IONA ( famed UK Celtic band) put them to music. The song was not released but set aside until a movie about C. S. Lewis (Jack) came into development. Everyone connected to the project felt it fit very well (including Douglas Gresham). This affirmation was great as the lyrics had been inspired by Jack’s works. Sadly the movie did not make it to screen so the song lay silent again for a fair while until IONA’s anniversary boxset came into being and the song was resurrected for the collection and released.

I used this song in Feb as a memorial when my uncle Edwin passed away. For it is a lyric that addresses loss and hope. Most recently after reading the ARC of Patti Callahan’s Once Upon a Wardrobe, I thought how appropriate it was for her character George and how it answers his question about what is waiting on the other side of this life. He, too, was inspired by Lewis and Narnia. I hope you enjoy it. The lyrics are below and the song above: like the earth and sky.

*********

Feb. 2021

My uncle Edwin Leighton (Eddie as we called him) was a kind and tender-hearted person and although I have lived now on other side of the world (Australia) for 24 years, I have wonderful memories of him while I was growing up and during visits when I made it back home. He had one of those smiles that lifted and warmed your heart. A certain peace followed his movements. And although he was a man of many talents, it was his exceptional skill in carpentry that was well known.  

Sadly, he fought a hard battle with his health but he was brave to the end. His memorial service was on February 5th and  due to COVID-19 restrictions, numbers were limited. I wanted to contribute in honouring my uncle’s life. So, after receiving permission from the band IONA, I am posting this song so that family and friends can see and hear it. The piece is off the Book of IONA boxset and contains my lyrics: ‘All That We Have Ever Dreamed.’  I hope it will be a blessing and encouragement to our family going through this loss. I send out with love, this song, like a boat on the river—in honour of a beautiful soul, my late uncle Eddie Leighton.

🦋🦋🦋🦋

ALL THAT WE HAVE EVER DREAMED 

Diamonds on the sand 

Waves that light the sky~ 

The glory of your hand 

Is here inside the night 

 

Whispers on the wind 

Breath that fills my soul~ 

Following the call to life 

Toward the crimson road 

 

Your love will take us far 

Your love will lead us home 

To where we will be free 

When winter pain has flown 

 

Step out in the field 

Catch the falling stars~ 

We won’t lose our way 

If we listen to Your heart 

 

Storms may fill our view 

Clouds may still persist~ 

But for every trial we face 

Your Word will clear the mist 

 

Your love will take us far 

Your love will lead us home 

To where we will be free 

When winter pain has flown 

 

Today, our spirits soar 

To places never seen 

Where we will soon become 

All that we have ever dreamed 

 

Song by UK's Celtic band IONA (Book of IONA Boxset) 2020

Lyrics: Cindy L Spear (Copyright 2020)

Video: Cindy L Spear

All Photos by Cindy L Spear (except #7, #9, #20, #25 by Raymond Polley)

Open Sky Records for IONA merchandise & IONA’s Website

Song used by permission from IONA, 2021. 

 

Cindy L Spear