Since then, while maintaining her singing career, she has occasionally encountered controversy, partly due to her statements and gestures—such as her ordination as a priest despite being a woman with a Roman Catholic background—and her strongly expressed views on organised religion, women's rights, war, and child abuse.
In addition to her ten solo albums her work includes many singles, songs for films, collaborations with many other artists and appearances at charity fundraising concerts.
Since converting to Islam in 2018 she has changed her name to Shuhada Sadaqat.
In December 2019 she gave her first UK concert in five years at the Shepherd's Bush Empire, London.
On 26 July 2023, O'Connor's family issued a statement that she had died at the age of 56, without indicating the date or cause.
In the statement, the singer’s family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
The acclaimed Dublin performer released 10 studio albums, while her song “Nothing Compares 2 U” was named the number one world single in 1990 by the Billboard Music Awards. Her version of the ballad, written by musician Prince, topped the charts around the globe and earned her three Grammy nominations.
Molly Malone
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheeled her wheelbarrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!
A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!
She was a fishmonger and sure it was no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they both wheeled their barrows
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!
A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!
She died of a fever and no one could save her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
Now her ghost wheels her barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!
A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!
A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!
The song "Molly Malone" tells the story of a young woman who sold seafood from a wheelbarrow in the streets of Dublin, Ireland. The song describes her beauty and the hard work she did to earn a living. Molly's parents were also fishmongers, and they likewise worked hard to support themselves. Sadly, Molly died from a fever, and now her ghost roams the streets of Dublin, still pushing her wheelbarrow and calling out her signature cry "Cockles and Mussels, alive a-live O!"
There are several interpretations to the song's meaning, but one common interpretation is that it represents the struggles of working-class people, particularly women, in 19th-century Ireland. The song highlights their grit and determination, despite the tough circumstances. It also speaks to the power of memory and the value of honoring the sacrifices of those who have come before us.
Line by Line Meaning
In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty
This is the city where the girls are the prettiest
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
I first saw the lovely Molly Malone
As she wheeled her wheelbarrow
While she pushed her wheelbarrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Through both small and big roads
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!
Singing loudly alive cockles and mussels
A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Alive and well!
She was a fishmonger and sure it was no wonder
It wasn't surprising that she sold fish
For so were her father and mother before
Her parents did the same thing
And they both wheeled their barrows
And her parents, too, carried their goods in wheelbarrows
Through streets broad and narrow
Through large and small walkways
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!
Singing loudly alive cockles and mussels
A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Alive and well!
She died of a fever and no one could save her
She passed away due to an illness, and no one could help her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
That was the last time we saw Molly Malone
Now her ghost wheels her barrow
Now Molly Malone's spirit continues to push her wheelbarrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Through both small and big roads
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!
Singing loudly alive cockles and mussels
A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Alive and well!
A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Alive and well!
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!
Singing loudly alive cockles and mussels
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ADRIAN MAXWELL SHERWOOD, CORA VENUS(CV LUNNY) LUNNY, DONAL LUNNY, SKIP MCDONALD, SINEAD O'CONNOR, TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Gnin1000
Gott, ich liebe dieses Lied!
Egal, welcher Interpret, aber Sinead O'Conner ist eine der besten!
Ich bin Deutscher, aber es war immer ein Einschlaflied für meinen kleinen Sohn.
Jetzt ist er 5 Jahre alt und singt das Lied selber fast perfekt, wenn man bedenkt, dass er nur einen Teil davon versteht.
God I love this song!
Whatever the artist, Sinead O'Conner is one of the best!
I'm German but it was always a lullaby for my little son.
Now he's 5 years old and he sings the song himself almost perfectly considering he only understands part of it.
Es begleitet mich in meinem Leben seit mehr als 40 Jahren. Ich ehre die Iren für dieses Lied.
Eines der schönsten Lider die ich kenne!
It has accompanied me in my life for more than 40 years. I give credit to the Irish for this song.
One of the most beautiful lids I know!
Wenn ich irgendwann nochmal nach Irland reisen kann und mir vergönnt ist, Dublin zu besuchen, dann sollte sich die Lokalpresse nicht darum kümmern, dass ein kleiner, doofer Deutscher über eine Stunde lang die Statue von Molly Mallone umarmt hat.
If I ever get to travel to Ireland again and have the privilege of visiting Dublin, then the local press shouldn't care that a little goofy German guy hugged the statue of Molly Mallone for over an hour.
Die schönsten Erinnerungen in meinem Leben sind mit diesem Lied verbunden. Denn jedes mal, wenn meine Familie zusammen kommt und eine Familienfeier besonders schön war, fängt irgendeiner von uns an, das Lied zu singen. Alle Gespräche brechen ab und meine komplette Familie stimmt langsam mit ein.
The best memories in my life are associated with this song. Because every time my family gets together and a family celebration was particularly nice, one of us starts singing the song. All conversations break off and my entire family slowly agrees.
@TheHomesteadingHobbit
I'm broken over this. The world sounds duller right now. Rest in peace sweet Irish sister. 🇮🇪☘️💚
@OrionTheta1
Been to some Fun Bars in NS and then NFLD & *
@timothymeehan181
My God. She sings The Foggy Dew, Danny Boy, & Molly Malone, songs we’ve all heard a thousand times, by a thousand different artists, and it’s like we’re hearing them for the very first time. The sign of a true artist, a special soul…🙏☘️🎼🎭😇♥️
@margaretohara7250
Yes, indeed. You may like her on Dave Letterman's late show with Van Morrison, the Chieftains singing a most beautiful song. Another one is with the great Kris Kristofferson (sp?). She sang by herselfi Danny Boy and Don't cry for me Argentina. Oh, her voice was so beautiful and she was so young at the time. Most of all, she spoke on behalf of the voiceless - a brave young Irish woman. Ireland lost a pot of gold - a brilliant young woman.
@mrmartin2079
Yes ,absolutely
@mouniraounisssi2890
Sa voix était irréelle ❤
@blackappledocs1935
And Oro Se!
@beatricemollo
yes, very true! Any song sung by Sinèad has something magical, poignant, sweet and penetrating ... I still haven't found any singer who has made my heart vibrate so strongly and intensely as her voice and her interpretation ... we will miss her dearly Sinèad, but really so much... 👏💔👏
@clairewyndham1971
Look at this woman.. no make up. No fancy hair styles.. the purest of voices. RIP Sinead.
@christinagavin4517
But what about those eyes? Can they possibly be real?