Catch the Bird of Heaven,

Lock Him in a cage of gold.

Look again tomorrow

And He will be gone

Lock Him in religion,

Gold and frankincense and myrrh

Carry to His prison,

But He will be gone

All the things that man has made

Cannot hold Him anymore.

Still the Bird is flying as before.

Temple made of marble,

Beak and feather made of gold,

Bell and book and candle

Cannot hold Him anymore.

Still the Bird is flying

As before

—

Beyond these shores

Into the darkness…

Beyond these shores

This boat may sail…

And, if this is the way,

Then there will be

A path across this sea…

And if I sail beyond

The farthest ocean,

Or lose myself in depths below,

Wherever I may go

Your love surrounds me,

For you have been before

Beyond these shores…

Celtic band Iona has been a top-of-my-list favorite for 25 years now. I can see how their music and lyrics have helped shape me both creatively and spiritually—a key part of my journey, and no mistake or coincidence at all. [ LMT ]