This song was written while on a short visit to Lindisfarne, which first was founded by Aidan and the Iona monks in the 7th century. The island is located on a tidal flat, and the legend is that Aiden chose this site over many other more prosperous sites because it modeled the kind of Christian life he and the monks wanted to lead. In the morning the tide would recede enough for a steady stream of the hungry, the sick, and those on pilgrimage to cross from the mainland to pray and receive food and healing. The monks would also go out in to the community then to do acts of service. Yet in the afternoon the tide would come back in and cover the path, creating a true island out of Lindisfarne again, and causing the monks to return to pray, fast, and focus on their God. This song ponders the journey of pilgrimage, and also the rhythm of life that the Lindisfarne monks found, of work and prayer, service and silence.
lyrics
To the wild places, to the lonely places, to the wind, and the rocks, and the rain, they came.
Running from their demons, chasing your spirit, they came, they came.
Simple folk and sons of kings, the rich and the wasted,
Following the path of saints to this holy isle, and they found You here.
To the wild places, to the lonely places, from the noise and the madness we come.
Running from our demons, chasing Your spirit, we come, we come.
Under whelmed and full of fears, weak and distracted
Following the ancient path to this holy isle, and we find You here.
V4.
From the wild places, from the lonely places, to the cities and valleys, we return.
Filled with new vision, chasing Your spirit, we return, we return.
Wanderers and pilgrims here, the blessed and the grateful, following the path of saints back to our worlds tonight… and we find you here.
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