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.
My Lagan Love
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There blow a lily fair
The twilight gleam is in her eye
The night is no her hair
And like a love-sick lenanshee
She hath my heart in thrall
Nor life I owe, nor liberty
for love is lord of all
and often when the beetles horn
Hath lulled the eve to sleep
I steal unto here shielding lorn
And thro' the dooring peep
There on the cricket's singing stone
She makes the bog wood fire
And hums in sad sweet undertone
The song of heart's desire
The lyrics of Sinéad O'Connor's song "My Lagan Love" paint a hauntingly beautiful picture of a woman, waiting by the Lagan stream, with a sense of yearning for her lover. In the first verse, the singer describes the beauty of the setting, emphasizing the natural surroundings (the lily fair, the twilight gleam, and the night in her hair). She then likens the woman to a love-sick lenanshee, a supernatural figure from Irish folklore who is known to lure men into the woods with her enchanting singing. This comparison suggests that the woman waiting by the Lagan stream has a similar power over the singer.
In the second verse, the singer continues to paint a vivid picture of the woman's activities, suggesting that the singer has been watching her from afar. She describes the moment when the evening has been lulled to sleep by the beetle's horn, and she steals away to watch the woman through the door. The woman is sitting by the cricket's singing stone (a natural rock formation), making a bog wood fire and humming a sad, sweet tune. The song is the "song of heart's desire," and it seems to embody the longing and yearning that the singer also feels.
Overall, the lyrics of "My Lagan Love" suggest that the singer is deeply moved by the woman waiting by the Lagan stream. She describes her surroundings in rich detail, emphasizing the beauty of nature, and she also uses language that suggests a sense of enchantment or mysticism. The woman by the stream seems to have a powerful effect on the singer, who is drawn to her despite the fact that she "hath [her] heart in thrall."
Line by Line Meaning
Where Lagan stream sings lullaby
Beside the calming waters of Lagan's stream, a sweet and tender tune is being hummed, lulling all who listen to a peaceful sleep.
There blow a lily fair
Growing amidst this serene environment is a pristine white lily, a symbol of the purity and innocence found in nature.
The twilight gleam is in her eye
The reflection of the setting sun can be seen in the eyes of this being, suggesting a deep connection to the natural world and its cycles of time.
The night is no her hair
The long locks of the maiden standing before us are so dark and all-encompassing that they appear to be made out of the very essence of night itself.
And like a love-sick lenanshee
With a heart full of yearning and a voice full of melancholy, she sings with the intensity and passion of the fabled fairy creatures of Irish mythology, known as the Leanan Sidhe.
She hath my heart in thrall
Captivated by her beauty and her ethereal presence, the singer finds himself completely entranced and under her spell.
Nor life I owe, nor liberty
In that moment, nothing else matters to the singer. He is willing to give up everything he has, including his freedom and his life, to be with this magical being.
for love is lord of all
Love is the most powerful of all emotions, capable of transcending boundaries of time, space, and even mortality.
and often when the beetles horn
As the sun sets on the land and the natural world drifts off to sleep, the sound of a beetle's call can be heard, signaling the coming of the night.
Hath lulled the eve to sleep
By the time this beetle's cry fades away, the evening, too, has become a distant memory, fading into sleep and rest to prepare for the new day to come.
I steal unto here shielding lorn
Without anyone noticing, the singer tiptoes into the presence of his beloved, filled with longing and desire, hoping to steal a moment with her.
And thro' the dooring peep
Careful not to disturb her, he peeks through a small opening in the entrance of her humble abode, admiring her from afar.
There on the cricket's singing stone
In her home amidst the natural surroundings, she takes a seat on a stone that is frequented by chirping crickets, bringing herself even closer to the heart of nature.
She makes the bog wood fire
With her powers of magic and mystery, the lady kindles a warm flame using ancient pieces of bogwood, a tribute to the history and traditions of her homeland.
And hums in sad sweet undertone
As the fire flickers alive in front of her, she hums a tune that carries both a mournful sadness and a sweet, enduring hopefulness, reflecting the many emotions that weigh heavy upon her heart.
The song of heart's desire
The melody she shares is one of longing and unbridled passion, a reflection of the deepest desires of her soul.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ADRIAN MAXWELL SHERWOOD, ALAN EDWARD BRANCH, JOSEPH CAMPBELL, PETE LOCKETT, DONAL LUNNY, SINEAD O'CONNOR, STRETCH, STEPHEN WICKHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MaskedMan66
I love this woman so dearly. Her voice can thrill your heart, tear it to shreds, heal it back up again, and make it sing with joy about all it's been through.
@frankpeter6851
I always feel a little bit jealous that I didn't get this gift of a beautiful voice.
What I mean by that is that her voice is that good
@christianhombergs1350
So it is...no better words cant' be find
@MaskedMan66
@christian Hombergs bows
@doreenarce9149
You should have a tshirt made with her on the front and what you said quoted on the back.
@MaskedMan66
@@doreenarce9149 Thank you, that's a great idea! Are there still places where you can get that done?
@odettehokemeir4425
Beautiful, soaring rendition by the one and only. RIP Sinead, your music continues to uplift our spirits!
@mathiastietke7094
What a wonderful song and a wonderful voice! In this grateful way I will keep you in my memory. Rest in Peace.
@guitargirlutube
RIP Sinead. Artist. Rebel. Truth Teller. X🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
@Chromosome999
❤❤❤100%