Mandinka
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics


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I'm dancing the seven veils
Want you to pick up my scarf
See how the black moon fades
Soon I can give you my heart

I don't know no shame
I feel no pain
I can't see the flame
But I do know Man-din-ka
I do know Man-din-ka
I do know Man-din-ka
I do

They're throwing it all this way
Dragging it back to the start
And they say, "See how the glass is raised?"
I have refused to take part
I told them "drink something new"
Please let me pull something through

I don't know no shame
I feel no pain
I can't
I don't know no shame
I feel no pain
I can't see the flame

But I do know Man-din-ka
I do know Man-din-ka
I do know Man-din-ka
I do
I do
I do
I say I do




Soon I can give you my heart
I swear I do
Soon I can give you my heart

I do
Mandinka
Soon I can give you my heart
Soon I can give you my heart

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sinéad O'Connor's song "Mandinka" portray a woman who is unapologetically herself and is not constrained by societal norms. The first stanza talks about her dancing the seven veils, a reference to the seductive dance of the biblical character Salome. She wants her lover to pick up her scarf and see how the black moon fades. This could be seen as a metaphor for her showing her true self to her partner and allowing them to see her in her entirety. She then proclaims that she knows no shame, feels no pain, and doesn't see the flame, but she does know "Mandinka." This line could possibly be interpreted as her being uninterested in the trivialities of the world around her, but rather focusing on a deeper understanding of things, as "Mandinka" is likely a reference to the West African tribe of the same name. The chorus repeats the phrase "I do know Mandinka" several times, affirming her knowledge and understanding of this culture.


In the second stanza, the singer tells of people throwing things her way and trying to drag her back to the start. However, she refuses to participate and instead challenges them to "drink something new" and let her pull something through. Here, she seems to be offering an alternative perspective and encouraging those around her to open their minds and consider different viewpoints. The chorus repeats, "I do know Mandinka," emphasizing her knowledge and wisdom.


Overall, the lyrics suggest a sense of confidence and defiance in the singer's character. She refuses to conform to society's expectations and instead embraces her true self. The repeated refrain of "Mandinka" reinforces her connection to a culture that may be foreign to others but holds deep personal meaning for her.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm dancing the seven veils
I am exposing my true self and innermost thoughts


Want you to pick up my scarf
I'm yearning for someone to take the next step in our relationship


See how the black moon fades
The darkness and sadness in my life is slowly disappearing


Soon I can give you my heart
I am ready to love and fully commit myself


I don't know no shame
I refuse to feel ashamed of who I am or my actions


I feel no pain
I'm strong and resilient, and nothing can truly hurt me


I can't see the flame
I am blind to the passion and desires of others


But I do know Man-din-ka
I am self-aware and know who I am and where I come from


They're throwing it all this way
Society is imposing their expectations and traditions on me


Dragging it back to the start
I'm constantly being pulled back to my old ways and habits


And they say, "See how the glass is raised?"
Others are celebrating and enjoying their lives, while I feel left behind


I have refused to take part
I won't conform to societal norms and expectations


I told them "drink something new"
I encourage others to step out of their comfort zone and try new things


Please let me pull something through
I want to make a significant change and impact in my life and the lives of others


I say I do
I am committed and dedicated to my beliefs and values


Mandinka
I embrace my cultural heritage and identity




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SINEAD O'CONNOR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Wolfhoundersful

I don't wanna be no man's woman
It don't make me happy this man-trolling
Thing that you got for me so I become
No man's woman

I don't wanna be no man's woman
I've other work I want to get done
I haven't travelled this far to become
No man's woman [2x]

'Cause I'm tired of it
And I'm so scared of it
That I'll never trust again
'Cause a man can fake you
Take your soul and make you
Miserable in so much pain

My friends think I'm alone but I've got secrets
I don't tell everything about the love I get
I got a lovin' man but he's a spirit
He never does me harm, never treats me bad
He'd never takes away all the love he has
And I'm forgiven oh a million times

I'm never tired of it
And I'm not scared of it
'Cause it doesn't cause me pain
Like a man can fake you
Take your soul and make you
Never be yourself again

I never wanna be no man's woman
I only wanna be my own woman
I haven't travelled this far to become
No man's woman [3x]



All comments from YouTube:

@officialsinead

More music from Sinéad O'Connor: https://Sinead.lnk.to/Listen

@jeffreyomargonzalezgomez2736

Gránulos artista buena música

@monka2776

Love love love!!!

@gemaperezmaragato1120

Donde estas linda

@BorsosGabor2023

🌹🙋‍♂️

@lauriescott9775

Sinead, you are and always have been the vintage cast iron Cauldron that contained
a multitude of unknown ingredients. The jeers, whispers an unrest; for the uncommon day. The morning breeze catches to carry the variety of recent expelled exaltations. Now all eyes are on the highly culpable and flammable death camps. Now immovable, filthy and..... Empty???? Turns out Sinead, ya can cook. HaHAHA....Not my best this day. But my whole heart was in my exaltations. I am an Empath that only admittedly claimed so in the few days following just discovering exactly way too creepy accuracies in my personality and now my own living experiences.
.

12 More Replies...

@burstthroughtheconcrete

This song is so incredible. This woman is so incredible. This album is so incredible. Hands down one of the most overlooked artists in modern music. She is a hero. Maybe one day one people will see her as such.

@joeschmoe373

This person does. Always have.

@aarondavid5866

modern definition?

@TheConorsmithusa

she's nuts though in reality

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