While specific recording dates are not known, the track was originally written by Sandra St. Victor and T. Hammer as Sanctuary, and was sent to Symbol in Summer, 1995, following a loose agreement for Symbol and Sandra Sandra St. Victor to work together (along with Love Is (later renamed Van Gogh), I'll Never Open My Legs Again (later renamed I'll Never B Another Fool), How We Livin' (later renamed Livin' 2 Die) and Nothing Left To Give (later renamed Stone)). Additional lyrics and music were added by Symbol before recording in 1995, at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA (during the same set of sessions as the other songs sent by Sandra St. Victor). T. Hammer was left off the writers' credits; other tracks by Sandra St. Victor were also released with inaccurate credits, causing her to make legal threats against Symbol, but she eventually opted not to sue.
Soul Sanctuary
Prince Lyrics
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Under your gaze I ponder this love tonight
Unbothered by the chaos swirling 'round outside
In your arms is where I want to live and die
Someplace where your face is all that I see
Where the love we make intoxicates intensively
In a mirror where your sweet reflection used 2 be
There is hope, there is joy, my soul sanctuary
Loving you in silence, never ending kiss
Under your gaze I can peacefully exist
Sanctuary, baby, nothing compares to this
In my darkest hour you can be my bliss (Bliss)
All of me I give to thee down at your feet
The reassurance in your rhythm speaks to me
Over and over your screams are like a prayer
In the dark, you are there (you are there), my soul sanctuary
Oh, my soul sanctuary
Loving you in passion unmolested in this garden
Mango and nectarine, sweet honeydew, I beg your pardon
My mouth runneth over from ecstasy
It's true (it's true), baby, I love the taste of you
Loving you in silence, knowing that it's right
Under your gaze I ponder this love tonight
Unbothered by the chaos swirling around outside
In your arms is where I want to live and die
Someplace (someplace) where your face is all that I see (All that I see)
Where the love we make intoxicates intensively (Intensively)
In a mirror (mirror) where your sweet (sweet) reflections used to be
There is hope, there is joy, my soul sanctuary
My soul sanctuary
(My, my, my, my, my soul) My soul sanctuary
Oh, my soul sanctuary
Soul sanctuary
The lyrics to Prince's song "Soul Sanctuary" describe the intense love between two individuals and how it provides a space of peace and refuge from the chaos of the outside world. The singer loves their partner deeply and wants to be with them in a place where they can only see each other's faces, and the love they share is all-consuming. The lyrics suggest that the physical passion between the couple is also spiritual and transcendent.
The repeated phrase "my soul sanctuary" emphasizes the importance of this relationship to the singer. It suggests that their love is not just physical, but also provides emotional and spiritual support. The final verses describe the couple's love-making as a transcendent experience that fills the singer with ecstasy.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of deep intimacy and connection between two people that provides a refuge and sanctuary from the outside world.
Line by Line Meaning
Loving you in silence, knowing that it's right
Expressing my love to you without words feels just as powerful
Under your gaze I ponder this love tonight
When I'm with you, I can't help but constantly think about how much I love you
Unbothered by the chaos swirling 'round outside
Despite the chaos and distractions of the world, my love for you remains steadfast
In your arms is where I want to live and die
Being wrapped in your loving embrace feels like the only place worth living and dying for
Someplace where your face is all that I see
When I'm with you, nothing else matters but the beauty of your face and the love we share
Where the love we make intoxicates intensively
Our love is so powerful and intense that it leaves us both feeling intoxicated
In a mirror where your sweet reflection used 2 be
When I look at myself, I see you and the love that we share reflected back at me
There is hope, there is joy, my soul sanctuary
With you, I find hope and joy, a sanctuary for my soul
Sanctuary, baby, nothing compares to this
With you, I've found a safe haven for my heart that nothing else can compare to
In my darkest hour you can be my bliss (Bliss)
When I'm struggling, you are the light that guides me and brings me pure happiness
All of me I give to thee down at your feet
I give you my all and place myself at your feet, a symbol of my trust and devotion
The reassurance in your rhythm speaks to me
Your actions and the way you move bring me comfort and assurance
Over and over your screams are like a prayer
The passion we share is so intense that our screams become like prayers, emanating from the depths of our souls
In the dark, you are there (you are there), my soul sanctuary
Even in the darkness, your love shines bright and provides a sanctuary for me
Loving you in passion unmolested in this garden
Our love is a pure and unadulterated passion, blooming like a garden
Mango and nectarine, sweet honeydew, I beg your pardon
Your sweetness and allure are undeniable, like the delicious fruit of a mango, nectarine, or honeydew
My mouth runneth over from ecstasy
Being with you is so blissful and euphoric that I'm left speechless
It's true (it's true), baby, I love the taste of you
I desire you in every sense, including your taste and flavor
Soul sanctuary
My love for you is a source of comfort and refuge for my soul, my sanctuary
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON, THOMAS LEE HAMMER, SANDRA KAY ST. VICTOR, JONATHAN J. KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind