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.
Three Babies
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My three babies
I will carry with me
For myself
I ask no one else will be
Mother to these three
And of course
I'm like a wild horse
Water and feed
Are not tools that I need
For the thing that I've chosen to be
In my soul
My blood and my bones
I have wrapped your cold bodies around me, oh
The face on you
The smell of you
Will always be with me
Each of these
My three babies
I was not willing to leave
Though I tried
I blasphemed and denied
I know they will be returned to me
Each of these
My babies
Have brought you closer to me
No longer mad like a horse
I'm still wild, but not lost
From the thing that I've chosen to be
And it's 'cause you've thrilled me
Silenced me, stilled me
Proved things I never believed, oh
The face on you
The smell of you
Will always be with me
Each of these
My three babies
I will carry with me
For myself
I ask no one else will be
Mother to these three
The lyrics to Sinéad O'Connor's song "Three Babies" speak about the singer's deep connection to her three children. She describes them as part of her, "in [her] soul, [her] blood, and [her] bones" and expresses her desire to be the sole mother to them. She compares herself to a "wild horse" who needs no external tools like water or feed to do what she has chosen to do, which is to be the mother to her children. O'Connor feels a deep bond with her babies and cannot bear to be separated from them, despite trying to leave them behind. She believes that her children have brought her closer to the person she is supposed to be, allowing her to embrace her wild spirit but not lose herself.
The lyrics of "Three Babies" are open to interpretation, but many people believe that they are autobiographical in nature. O'Connor struggled with mental health issues throughout her life, and some believe that the song is a reflection of her journey to motherhood in the face of those challenges. O'Connor has been open about her struggles with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, and many of her songs are deeply personal in nature. In this song, she grapples with the powerful emotions that come with being a parent, and the longing to protect her children at all costs.
In conclusion, "Three Babies" is a beautiful and haunting song that speaks to the deep bond between a mother and her children. The lyrics are deeply personal and speak to the struggles that Sinéad O'Connor has faced throughout her life. The song captures the powerful emotions that come with parenthood and the sense of responsibility and love that parents feel for their children.
Line by Line Meaning
Each of these my three babies
Sinéad O'Connor is referring to her three children.
I will carry with me
Sinéad O'Connor will carry the memory and love of her children with her always.
For myself
Sinéad O'Connor wants to be the only mother of her three children.
I ask no one else will be
Sinéad O'Connor does not want anyone else to try and replace her as a mother to her children.
Mother to these three
O'Connor acknowledges that she is the only mother to her three children.
And of course
O'Connor accepts the responsibility of being a mother.
I'm like a wild horse
O'Connor feels free and untamed in her spirit, much like a wild horse.
But there's no other way I could be
O'Connor accepts that her wild spirit is a fundamental part of who she is.
Water and feed are not tools
O'Connor does not need typical resources to fulfill what she has chosen to be in life.
That I need for the thing that I've chosen to be
O'Connor has chosen to be a mother and does not need external tools or resources to fulfill this role.
In my soul
Sinéad O'Connor's love for her children is deep and internal.
My blood and my bones
O'Connor's love for her children is a fundamental part of her being.
I have wrapped your cold bodies around me
Describing a moment of holding her children closely.
The face on you
O'Connor is describing her children's unique features and appearance.
The smell of you
O'Connor is describing the scent of her children.
Will always be with me
O'Connor's memories of her children will stick with her forever.
Each of these my three babies
Reiteration of the beginning of the song.
I was not willing to leave
O'Connor refused to abandon her children, no matter what.
Though I tried
O'Connor attempted to walk away from her children, but ultimately, remained a dedicated mother.
I blasphemed and denied
O'Connor may have struggled with her role as a mother, but never gave up.
I know they will be returned to me
O'Connor trusts that her children will one day come back to her.
Each of these my babies
Another repetition, emphasizing her love for her children.
Have brought you closer to me
O'Connor's children have strengthened her love for them.
No longer mad like a horse
O'Connor's wild spirit has calmed since becoming a mother.
I'm still wild but not lost
O'Connor still maintains her untamed spirit, but does not feel lost.
From the thing that I've chosen to be
O'Connor's love for her children is a fulfilling aspect of her life.
And it's 'cause you've thrilled me
O'Connor is filled with joy and her children have added to this happiness.
Silenced me
Maybe feeling a loss of words when it comes to her love for her children.
Stilled me
O'Connor's children have provided her with a calming influence.
Proved things I never believed
O'Connor's children have opened her to new experiences and emotions she never thought possible.
The face on you
Reminding listeners of the physical appearance of her children.
The smell of you
Again, describing the scent of her children.
Will always be with me
O'Connor will remember her children forever.
Each of these my three babies
Final repetition, solidifying her love for her children.
I will carry with me
She will carry memories of their time together with her always.
For myself
She does this for her own reasons.
I ask no one else will be
She does not want anyone else to be the mother to her children.
Mother to these three
Reiteration of her role as a mother.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sinead Marie Bernarde O'Connor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Paulco67
Ireland’s greatest ever female voice has left us. Sinead tried so hard but in the end, it was all too much. May she Rest In Peace and be in the arms of her loving son.
@realcapitalist1462
On the contrary, I'd say she moved mountains. It's tremendously sad what has happened but she packed so much into her life in the pursuit of justice and a better society for all.
@baddrivers6807
She was a great artist
@in_light.
Ireland's, but also the world's. I know there are more popular, female singers who are globally renowned. However, I think most of them (living) still can't hold a candle to Sinead. May she RIP.
@karelle327
Sinead inspired many. Remember hanging in the west village with my friends in the 90s and we were soooo obsessed with the beautiful fiery soul who taught us about the travesties of this world. Gosh, she removed the veil of ignorance. I was but a teen but I knew it was TRUTH. I love you Queen. You have raised the consciousness of a nation. ❤️💔
@scorelineupdate129
Real girl power
@jamesmckee329
America should apologize to this beautiful woman
@Paulco67
Give it a rest
@gz9035
Debería. La hicieron mierd*
@antonietoverdi2918
No