Arguments have ranged as to the language used on this very popular album - the most common assumption was latin. Here, however, is the pertinent info from the album liner notes:

``The structures of Songs of Sanctuary were influenced, in the main, by classical form, e.g. 'modified rondo, ternary, da capo aria.' This was of extra importance because of the lack of lyric message that sustains conventional song form. The text was written phonetically with the words viewed as instrumental sound. The idea being to maximise [sic] the Melisma (an expressive vocal phrase) by removing the distraction, if one can call it that, of words.'' In other words: There is no coherent text; the 'songs' are merely added instrumentation.

Thanks to Fred Puhan (fjp@his.com).