Dark Sky Island

About the song

Roma relished her time working on poetry and in particular a series of books themed around islands. It was the latter that inspired the first song to be written for ‘Dark Sky Island’ in the shape of the album’s title track. “’Dark Sky Island’ refers to the island of Sark, one of the Channel Islands,” explains Roma. “It was the first island to be designated as a dark sky area. The community decided collectively to adjust their way of living in order to accommodate clear, unspoiled night-views of the heavens. There are no cars on the island and all of the lighting is designed so that it doesn’t interfere with the observation of the stars. So many stars can be seen that it can be difficult to pick out familiar constellations.”Dark Sky Island Press Release

Dark Sky Island (extract from ’Dark sky Islands and little histories‘)

Three-and-a half miles long by one-and-a-half miles wide. The ancient Romans called it Sargia. In the sixth century a Christian monastery was founded on the island. Centuries later, Vikings would raid, followed by the Normans, themselves of Viking descent. Longsword would rule. Hundreds of years would pass and before pirates would make their way to the island. In the early 1700’s a hoard of Celtic and Roman coins was unearthed, only to be lost. The island has a short history of silver and galena. Caves are called for a French writer in exile. A fiction was written about a man who came to this island; in his goodness he grew wings, in his excesses he developed two horns upon his head. There is a legend of a black dog which haunts the isthmus crossing. A windmill stands without any sails. Now, this kingdom has become the first island in history to be given the designation of Dark Sky Island. It opens it arms to those who come to observe and watch the stars. All those who live on the island, around only six hundred people, align their terrestrial way of life to suit the heavens. All these things there are to know about the island – and so much more.

Although Sark, one of the Channel islands, was the first island to have a Dark Sky designation, it is now joined by the Isle of Coll, one of the Inner Hebrides, which was also given a Dark Skies status in December 2011.

With light pollution we have almost lost the beauty of the night-sky. Once again, in all those dark-sky designated areas throughout the world, we can look up at the heavens in all their glory.
extract from ‘Dark sky islands and little histories’ by Roma Ryan printed in Warner Music promotional booklet
scan by enya-sailaway.blogspot.it, transcription by enya.sk

Lyrics

lyrics by Roma Ryan
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd