Iona, my child, these words may seem so wild
If you lend an ear, maybe something you hear
Will stay with you forever
And a day, if you feel the ceiling sway
Remember this, you have brothers and sisters
Who long to hear your laughter, resound
There's adventure all around
If you find a track, you needn't follow the pack
But go your own direction
And be quick, but slow to raise a stick
Be softly spoken, as promises broken
Can ring through time like bells with an endless chime
[Chorus]
Take the path down by the western pines
Traveling light, quick step and keep in time
Speak in tongues, remember always rhyme
Climb the redwood lightning-struck and see for miles, Iona
[Verse 2]
Iona, beware
The bus-ticket millionaire
The penny blacks are fluttering back
To where they shall
Anoint your face
With the morning dew of May
A nettle sting or an emerald ring
Is all you may remember
What I said, is just for breaking bread
Or to maybe wake the dearly departed souls
Who pray for you til your dying day
[Chorus]
Trace your name in sand at eventide
Watch the pulsing embers glow like bright familiar eyes
They will stay forever by your side
Climb the redwood lightning struck and see for miles
Iona, take heed, of the redwood, that grows from a seed
[Chorus]
Take the path down by the western pines
Traveling light, quick step and keep in time
Speak in tongues, remember always rhyme
Climb the redwood lightning-struck and see for miles, Iona