Her original version of "Sanctuary" is on her Bandcamp page. It reminds me of that mid-90s earthy R&B vibe that people like Dionne Farris, Des'ree, or Soho, or even Brand New Heavies had in their music. I never knew Johnny Kemp co-wrote it.

____________________________

lyrics

credits

Such a beautiful song! Nice to see the original lyrics. Thanks for sharing

TrivialPursuit said:

Her original version of "Sanctuary" is on her Bandcamp page. It reminds me of that mid-90s earthy R&B vibe that people like Dionne Farris, Des'ree, or Soho, or even Brand New Heavies had in their music. I never knew Johnny Kemp co-wrote it.

____________________________

Another song Prince loved. He Prince-ified it, and put it on his "Emancipation" album, calling it, "Soul Sanctuary".
In his album notes, he says, "Beautiful lyric by Sandra. Speaking 2 the heart... reflections live 4ever in mirrors".
Later in Interview Magazine, after talking about the song, he adds, "love the idea of an ex-lover leaving her reflection in the mirror after she’s gone. You know, I just hope to see the day when all artists, no matter what color they are, own their masters".
Well, Prince, I'm taking my masters back, in my own way.
Thanks to you, and Greg Tate for the sage advice, so long ago.

lyrics

Sanctuary

In an ageless dream where love is pure and true
I escape to you, my sanctuary

Loving you in silence, mmm
Knowing that it's right
Under your gaze should a storm arise
Unbothered by the chaos swirling 'round outside
In a place where just your face is all I see
Where the love we make intoxicates intensively
In a mirror where your sweet reflection used to be
there is hope, there is joy, there is sanctuary

We've found our sanctuary
in a never-ending kiss
You give me sanctuary
and my soul has found a place to peacefully exist
Sanctuary
yeah and nothing compares to this
I'll be your sanctuary
Sanctuary

We perform a sacred ritual right there in the dark
A sacrificial offering of my fidelity
A solemn oath of faithfulness I give to thee down at your feet
The reassurance in your rhythm, hesitation disappears
As you scream my name over and over like a prayer
Out of shadows in the dark I open up and you are there
touching me deep, so deep in my sanctuary

We've found our sanctuary
in a never-ending kiss
You give me sanctuary
and my soul has found a place to peacefully exist
Sanctuary
yeah and nothing compares to this
I'll be your sanctuary

Passion fascination sweet serenity grow unmolested in my garden
Mango and nectarine sweet honeydew
and all you give to me,
ooh I love the taste of you

We've found our sanctuary
in a never-ending kiss
You give me sanctuary
and my soul has found a place to peacefully exist
Sanctuary
yeah and nothing compares to this
I'll be your sanctuary

In a place where just your face is all I see
Where the love we make intoxicates intensively
In a mirror where your sweet reflection used to be
there is only sanctuary

credits

from Sanctuary, released May 28, 2018
produced by Tom Hammer & SSV
written by Tom Hammer, Johnny Kemp & SSV

Beautiful lyrics. I also loved Stone (originally Nothing Left To Give) and Van Gogh (originally Love Is) - both from Sandra St Victor which Prince re-worked. Both great songs about love lost.

TrivialPursuit said:

Her original version of "Sanctuary" is on her Bandcamp page. It reminds me of that mid-90s earthy R&B vibe that people like Dionne Farris, Des'ree, or Soho, or even Brand New Heavies had in their music. I never knew Johnny Kemp co-wrote it.

____________________________

Another song Prince loved. He Prince-ified it, and put it on his "Emancipation" album, calling it, "Soul Sanctuary".
In his album notes, he says, "Beautiful lyric by Sandra. Speaking 2 the heart... reflections live 4ever in mirrors".
Later in Interview Magazine, after talking about the song, he adds, "love the idea of an ex-lover leaving her reflection in the mirror after she’s gone. You know, I just hope to see the day when all artists, no matter what color they are, own their masters".
Well, Prince, I'm taking my masters back, in my own way.
Thanks to you, and Greg Tate for the sage advice, so long ago.

lyrics

Sanctuary

In an ageless dream where love is pure and true
I escape to you, my sanctuary

Loving you in silence, mmm
Knowing that it's right
Under your gaze should a storm arise
Unbothered by the chaos swirling 'round outside
In a place where just your face is all I see
Where the love we make intoxicates intensively
In a mirror where your sweet reflection used to be
there is hope, there is joy, there is sanctuary

We've found our sanctuary
in a never-ending kiss
You give me sanctuary
and my soul has found a place to peacefully exist
Sanctuary
yeah and nothing compares to this
I'll be your sanctuary
Sanctuary

We perform a sacred ritual right there in the dark
A sacrificial offering of my fidelity
A solemn oath of faithfulness I give to thee down at your feet
The reassurance in your rhythm, hesitation disappears
As you scream my name over and over like a prayer
Out of shadows in the dark I open up and you are there
touching me deep, so deep in my sanctuary

We've found our sanctuary
in a never-ending kiss
You give me sanctuary
and my soul has found a place to peacefully exist
Sanctuary
yeah and nothing compares to this
I'll be your sanctuary

Passion fascination sweet serenity grow unmolested in my garden
Mango and nectarine sweet honeydew
and all you give to me,
ooh I love the taste of you

We've found our sanctuary
in a never-ending kiss
You give me sanctuary
and my soul has found a place to peacefully exist
Sanctuary
yeah and nothing compares to this
I'll be your sanctuary

In a place where just your face is all I see
Where the love we make intoxicates intensively
In a mirror where your sweet reflection used to be
there is only sanctuary

credits

from Sanctuary, released May 28, 2018
produced by Tom Hammer & SSV
written by Tom Hammer, Johnny Kemp & SSV

Interestingly, back in '91 he recorded "Violet The Organ Grinder" - not nearly as sweet of a song , but he included the lyric "on was on my way to another room when image of you sweetly appeared in the mirror, perhaps you recall, you and I were neatly in the middle of a Crystal Ball"

*

So it seems he had already been thinking about mirror reflections of past lovers....