Clark joined Sufjan Stevens' touring band in 2006, bringing with her a tour EP entitled Paris Is Burning. It contains three tracks, including a cover version of Jackson Browne's These Days.
Clark released her début album, Marry Me, 10 July 2007 on Beggars Banquet Records. Named after a line from the cult-hit television show Arrested Development, the LP features appearances from drummer Brian Teasley (Man or Astro-man?, The Polyphonic Spree), Mike Garson (David Bowie's longtime pianist), and horn player Louis Schwadron (The Polyphonic Spree).
In 2008 Clark was nominated for three PLUG Independent Music Awards: New Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Music Video of the Year, and on 6 March 2008, she won the Female Artist of the Year award.
Her second album for 4AD, entitled Actor, was released on 5 May 2009. It was written entirely by Clark and produced by Clark and John Congleton of The Paper Chase.
The Strange Mercy Songfacts reports that Clark wrote her third album in Seattle. She decamped to the Northwestern city to escape from the information overload she was experiencing at home and recorded Strange Mercy in a studio provided by Death Cab For Cutie drummer Jason McGerr. The album was released by 4AD on September 12, 2011 and peaked at #19 on the Billboard 200, making it her first Top 20 LP.
2) A pseudonym of singer-songwriter Vincent Bernardy, who has written and recorded music since 1980. see also St. Vincent Folk
3) A singer/songwriter from Victoria, Australia.
Heathens
St. Vincent Lyrics
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2 The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together : against the Lord, and against his Anointed
3 Let us break their bonds asunder : and cast away their cords from us
4 He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn : the Lord shall have them in derision
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath : and vex them in his sore displeasure
6 Yet have I set my King : upon my holy hill of Sion
7 I will preach the law, whereof the Lord hath said unto me : Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee
8 Desire of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance : and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings : be learned, ye that are judges of the earth
11 Serve the Lord in fear : and rejoice unto him with reverence
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the right way : if his wrath be kindled, (yea but a little,) blessed are all they that put their trust in him
The lyrics from St. Vincent's song "Heathens" are a direct reference to the Biblical Psalm 2. In the context of the song, these lyrics may be interpreted as a reflection on the power dynamics and tensions between different factions or groups. The mention of the heathen furiously raging together and the people imagining a vain thing can be seen as a depiction of conflict and discord among different factions, perhaps hinting at societal or political unrest.
The imagery of kings and rulers uniting against the Lord and his Anointed suggests a power struggle or rebellion against a higher authority. The idea of breaking bonds asunder and casting away cords can symbolize a desire for freedom or liberation from perceived constraints or oppression. This could be a metaphor for individuals or groups seeking to overthrow or challenge established systems of power.
The mention of God dwelling in heaven and laughing at those who oppose him conveys a sense of divine superiority and ultimate control over earthly affairs. The idea of God speaking in wrath and vexing them in displeasure depicts a God who punishes those who go against his will. This imagery of divine retribution serves as a warning to those who resist or defy the established order.
The final verses of the lyrics focus on the establishment of a new order, with the singer declaring their allegiance to their King and the inheritance promised to them by the Lord. The call for wisdom among kings and judges, along with the exhortation to serve the Lord in fear and reverence, suggests a plea for humility and submission to divine authority. The admonition to kiss the Son and put trust in him to avoid wrath and destruction conveys a message of redemption and salvation through faith and obedience.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do the heathen so furiously rage together: and why do the people imagine a vain thing?
Why are the non-believers so angry and worked up, why do they waste their time on meaningless actions?
The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together: against the Lord, and against his Anointed
Leaders of the world unite to conspire against God and his chosen one
Let us break their bonds asunder: and cast away their cords from us
We will break free from their control and be independent
He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn: the Lord shall have them in derision
God will mock those who challenge him and show them their foolishness
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath: and vex them in his sore displeasure
God will express his anger towards them and bring upon them great suffering
Yet have I set my King: upon my holy hill of Sion
I have established my chosen ruler in a sacred place
I will preach the law, whereof the Lord hath said unto me: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee
I will proclaim the rules given to me by God, who declared me as his son
Desire of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance: and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession
Ask and you shall receive non-believers as your followers, with the whole earth as your domain
Thou shalt bruise them with a rod of iron: and break them in pieces like a potter's vessel
You will crush them with an unyielding force and shatter them like fragile pottery
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be learned, ye that are judges of the earth
Listen up rulers, be knowledgeable and discerning in your decisions
Serve the Lord in fear: and rejoice unto him with reverence
Worship God with respect and joyfully honor him
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the right way: if his wrath be kindled, (yea but a little,) blessed are all they that put their trust in him
Show your respect to the chosen one, or face his anger and risk straying from the right path. Those who trust in him will be blessed
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Christopher Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind