The other project Katharine is known for is Miranda Sex Garden of which Katharine was a founder member, lead singer, songwriter and lyricist. Formed in 1990 the band started out as a busking Madrigal trio. Later mutating into an avant garde gothic rock band, the group has released five studio albums, toured throughout Europe and America and supported bands such as Hole, Einstürzende Neubauten, Depeche Mode and Nick Cave.
Katharine's other projects include a collaboration with Nick Marsh whose album ..A Universe Between Us , she produced, played and sang on, guest performances with the experimental Jazz group Blowpipe, and numerous cabaret and Jazz performances over the years, many of which have taken place at art happenings such as The Waikiki Lounge and self hosted events such as Slappers and Queens of Sheba .
Katharine has just finished recording her first solo album Midnight Flower, which is a collaboration with Nick Marsh, featuring guest performances from members of the Mediaeval Baebes and Miranda Sex Garden.
The new album can be purchased at Katharine's Myspace page:-
http://www.myspace.com/katharineblake
Midnight Flower
Katharine Blake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When pleasure like the midnight flower
That scorns the eye of vulgar light
Begins to bloom for sons of night
And maids who love the moon
'Twas but to bless these hours of shade
That beauty and the moon were made
Will set the tides and wine aflow
For maids who love the moon
Joy so seldom weaves like this tonight
But, oh, 'tis pain to break its links so soon
Oh, stay, oh, stay
Fly not yet, 'tis just the hour
When pleasure's like the midnight flower
Though icy cold by day we ran
Yet still like souls of mirth we began
To burn when night was near
The lyrics of Katherine Blake's song "Midnight Flower" captivate listeners with its ethereal and haunting quality. At its core, the song speaks on the themes of pleasure and beauty, and their association with the night. The opening lines "Fly not yet, 'tis just the hour / When pleasure like the midnight flower / That scorns the eye of vulgar light / Begins to bloom for sons of night / And maids who love the moon" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The midnight flower, a metaphorical representation of pleasure, is a rare beauty that only reveals itself at night, away from the vulgar light of day.
The second stanza, "Twas but to bless these hours of shade / That beauty and the moon were made / 'Tis then their soft, beguiling glow / Will set the tides and wine aflow / For maids who love the moon" further elaborates on this concept of night-time beauty. It suggests that the beauty of the moon and night time is meant to bless those who enjoy the pleasures of the night. The song then transitions into the theme of joy, and its fleeting nature. "Joy so seldom weaves like this tonight / But, oh, 'tis pain to break its links so soon / Oh, stay, oh, stay" captures the essence of a moment of pure joy that is hard to hold onto.
In the final stanza, "Fly not yet, 'tis just the hour / When pleasure's like the midnight flower / Though icy cold by day we ran / Yet still like souls of mirth we began / To burn when night was near", the song once again returns to the metaphor of the midnight flower. It suggests that pleasure is like the flower in that it only truly thrives in the darkness of night, and that despite the coldness of the day, we find warmth and happiness in the night.
Line by Line Meaning
Fly not yet, 'tis just the hour
Do not leave just yet, as it is the perfect time for pleasure.
When pleasure like the midnight flower
This time of night is perfect for pleasure, just like how a midnight flower blooms in the dark.
That scorns the eye of vulgar light
The midnight flower does not appreciate or need the attention of everyday light, it prefers the dark.
Begins to bloom for sons of night
The midnight flower starts to bloom for those who belong to the night.
And maids who love the moon
This flower also welcomes women who adore the beauty of the moon.
'Twas but to bless these hours of shade
Beauty and the moon were created solely to give positive vibes during the dark hours of the night.
That beauty and the moon were made
The reason behind the existence of beauty and the moon is to bless these hours of shade.
'Tis then their soft, beguiling glow
During these hours, the soft and enchanting glow of these two things will affect all things positively.
Will set the tides and wine aflow
Their influence will not only be restricted to emotions but also physical things like tides and wine too.
For maids who love the moon
The soft, beguiling glow will particularly charm women who appreciate the moon's beauty.
Joy so seldom weaves like this tonight
Moments like this, of pure joy, are rare tonight.
But, oh, 'tis pain to break its links so soon
It would be difficult to end these joyful moments early.
Oh, stay, oh, stay
Please stay a little longer, allow the joy to remain.
Though icy cold by day we ran
Even if we lived a strict life during the day where emotions were not allowed, we still have the ability to embrace pleasure during the night.
Yet still like souls of mirth we began
Like joyful souls who have found pleasure, even when we thought it was not possible, we have started to experience it.
To burn when night was near
We started to feel the excitement and pleasure as night approached.
Contributed by Wyatt S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
stavies 75
A true Mediaeval Baebe is she!
JJ X
Who does backing vocals?
veiledexposure
Donna McKevitt (her bandmate from Miranda Sex Garden)