In 2007 she was part of Damon Albarn’s team producing the score for his Monkey: Journey To The West opera and toured the USA with Philip Glass as oboeist in The Book Of Longing. 2009-2010 she co produced and played on Kathryn Williams’s album The Quickening and is a member of Marianne Fatihfull’s live band.
In 1992 Kate started her association with the All Saints record label as a composer, player and singer. This resulted in The Familiar, a collaborative album with pianist and composer Roger Eno. She and Roger then joined up with Bill Nelson and Laraaji to form the eclectic, avant-garde collective Channel Light Vessel who released two improvisational albums, Automatic and Excellent Spirits.
In 1995 Kate’s first solo album, Indescribable Night, came out. Produced by her and French composer Joseph Racaille it featured her singing, playing, compositions and arrangements
Indescribable Night
Kate St. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The folds that lay over me no longer lie
Your infinity is revealed to me
It shines in your infinite smile
It was like a gift floating down through the dark
A dove finding rest in the leaves of my heart
A feeling inside, an invisible guideHad shown me a way to survive
Indescribable night
Indescribable night
Indescribable night
Is it you?
You and me in the circle of everyday life
Climbing through moments of death and delight
Now I've found my good night in the spiral of light
That shines in your intimate smile
Indescribable night
Indescribable night
Indescribable night
Sailor oh sailor won't you be proud
To now find a light in the deadliest cloud
The wisdom you've found, a surrendering sound
Sings through the surrendering night
Indescribable night
Indescribable night
Indescribable night
Is it you?
The song Indescribable Night by Kate St. John reflects on the transformative power of love and the spiritual connection that it offers. The lyrics, "A veil has lifted that shrouded my eyes, The folds that lay over me no longer lie, Your infinity is revealed to me, It shines in your infinite smile" suggest that the singer has gained a new perspective on life and is able to perceive the infinite possibilities that love has opened up to them. The metaphor of a gift floating down through the dark and a dove finding rest in the leaves of the heart implies that the power of love has transformed the singer's existence in a profound way.
In the second stanza, the lyrics "You and me in the circle of everyday life, Climbing through moments of death and delight" suggest that the connection between the singer and their beloved is not just limited to fleeting moments of passion, but rather extends through the highs and lows of everyday existence. The phrase "spiral of light" that shines in the intimate smile of the beloved shows that this connection is not limited to physical proximity, but rather extends beyond the physical realm.
In the final stanza, the lyrics "Sailor oh sailor won't you be proud, To now find a light in the deadliest cloud, The wisdom you've found, a surrendering sound, Sings through the surrendering night" suggest that the transformative power of love is not just limited to the individual experiencing it, but also radiates outwards, affecting those around them. The use of the word "surrendering" implies that the singer has surrendered to the power of love, willingly allowing it to transform their existence.
Line by Line Meaning
A veil has lifted that shrouded my eyes
I can now see things clearer after struggling with a situation.
The folds that lay over me no longer lie
I am no longer limited or trapped by my thoughts and emotions.
Your infinity is revealed to me
I am able to understand and appreciate the endless possibilities of life.
It shines in your infinite smile
This realization is reflected in the happiness and comfort I find in my partner.
It was like a gift floating down through the dark
The experience came unexpectedly, but was greatly appreciated.
A dove finding rest in the leaves of my heart
The feeling of peace and safety the experience provided is indescribable.
A feeling inside, an invisible guide
There was an intangible force guiding me through the situation.
Had shown me a way to survive
This guidance helped me overcome and persevere through the difficulty.
Indescribable night
The experience was impossible to fully convey with words.
Indescribable night
The experience was so profound, it deserves to be mentioned twice.
Indescribable night
The experience forever changed and has a lasting impact on me.
Is it you?
The experience made me feel connected to my partner on a deep level.
You and me in the circle of everyday life
We are together in the ups and downs of life.
Climbing through moments of death and delight
We experience it all, from the darkest moments to the most joyful ones.
Now I've found my good night in the spiral of light
I have found a sense of peace and safety in my partner's embrace.
That shines in your intimate smile
The warmth and comfort I feel in this connection is undeniable.
Sailor oh sailor won't you be proud
The artist is addressing someone who guided them through a metaphorical storm.
To now find a light in the deadliest cloud
Despite facing a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, they were able to find a silver lining.
The wisdom you've found, a surrendering sound
The person who helped them is highly valued and respected for their ability to guide others.
Sings through the surrendering night
Their guidance helped the artist overcome and embraced the difficult experience.
Indescribable night
The experience will be forever remembered as a defining moment in life.
Indescribable night
The experience was so profound, it deserves to be mentioned twice.
Indescribable night
The experience forever changed and has a lasting impact on me.
Is it you?
The artist is once again expressing their gratitude and connection to the person who helped them.
Contributed by Camden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.