Dolores O'Riordan was the youngest of seven born and raised in Ballybricken, Limerick, Ireland. In 1990 she auditioned and won the role of lead singer for a band called The Cranberry Saw Us (later changed to The Cranberries). The band released five albums before they took a break in 2003.
Her first solo album Are You Listening? was released in May 2007. Her second solo album No Baggage was released in August 2009.
While in London, England, for a short recording session, Dolores died suddenly on 15 January 2018 aged 46. The cause of death was drowning due to alcohol intoxication.
'Dolores was discovered “submerged in the bath” at the time she was found, and an examination of her body found no signs of injury or self-harm. There was a bottle of champagne, as well as five miniature bottles of alcohol, plus containers of prescription drugs. The toxicology report showed that Dolores’ blood had “therapeutic” levels of medication, but her alcohol level was astronomically high — four times over the legal limit of driving.'
Human Spirit
Dolores O'Riordan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It could eat you up inside
Can you see the human spirit?
Tell me why should I have to hide
And with my heart in my hand
And with my hand upon my heart
And with my heart in my hand
Don't betray your lover
You will just betray yourself
Can you see the human spirit?
Is there emptiness inside
And with my heart in my hand
And with my hand upon my heart
And with my heart in my hand
It's not like we planned
Can you see the human spirit?
Is there emptiness inside
Can you see the human spirit?
Is there loneliness inside
[Repeat refrain]
The lyrics to Dolores O'Riordan's song "Human Spirit" are a call to reflect on the innermost aspects of one's psyche. The singer tries to remind the listener of the power of the human spirit and its ability to withstand the trials of life. She warns against allowing life to consume one's being, for it may lead to emptiness and loneliness that cannot be filled. "Don't let life consume you, It could eat you up inside, Can you see the human spirit? Tell me why should I have to hide" she sings, urging people to acknowledge and embrace their humanity.
The song also touches on the theme of love and betrayal as the singer advises against betraying one's lover as it only leads to self-betrayal. She links betrayal to emptiness, calling on the listener to look within themselves and question whether they have emptiness inside. The refrain of the song, "And with my heart in my hand, And with my hand upon my heart, It's not like we planned", emphasizes the futility of trying to control life's outcomes and highlights the importance of trusting oneself.
Overall, the song appears to be an ode to inner strength and the human spirit. It reminds listeners to appreciate life and acknowledge the power they possess within themselves to overcome its challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't let life consume you
Don't allow the challenges of life to overwhelm you
It could eat you up inside
It could cause emotional distress and turmoil within you
Can you see the human spirit?
Do you recognize the resilience and inner strength of humanity?
Tell me why should I have to hide
Why should I have to conceal my genuine self and true nature?
And with my heart in my hand
With utmost sincerity, honesty and vulnerability
And with my hand upon my heart
With deep conviction, and faith within oneself
And with my heart in my hand
With utmost sincerity, honesty and vulnerability, again
It's not like we planned
It's not according to our expectations, hopes or desires
Don't betray your lover
Don't deceive the person who loves and trusts you
You will just betray yourself
In doing so, you will only harm and disappoint yourself
Can you see the human spirit?
Do you recognize the resilience and inner strength of humanity?
Is there emptiness inside
Is there a feeling of void or lack of purpose within?
Can you see the human spirit?
Do you recognize the resilience and inner strength of humanity?
Is there loneliness inside
Is there a sense of isolation or disconnection from others?
And with my heart in my hand
With utmost sincerity, honesty and vulnerability, again
And with my hand upon my heart
With deep conviction, and faith within oneself, again
And with my heart in my hand
With utmost sincerity, honesty and vulnerability, again
It's not like we planned
It's not according to our expectations, hopes or desires, again
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dolores Mary O'Riordan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind