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.
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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.
🦋🦋🦋🦋