Three Babies
SinГ©ad O'Connor Lyrics


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Each of these 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
But there's no other way I could be
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
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
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

Overall Meaning

In Sinéad O'Connor's song "Three Babies," the lyrics describe the singer's journey as a mother to three children who have passed away. The song begins with the assertion that she will always carry the memory of her children with her, and that she will be the only one to truly mother them. She compares herself to a wild horse, emphasizing the fierce intensity of her love and need to care for her children. But as the song progresses, she acknowledges that her chosen path as a mother has left her feeling alone and isolated. Despite her struggles, she remains resilient and committed to raising her children, and ultimately finds solace in the knowledge that they have brought her closer to herself.


The lyrics in "Three Babies" touch upon themes of loss, grief, and resilience, highlighting the powerful bond between a mother and her children. In describing her children as "cold bodies," the singer captures the deep sense of emptiness that can result from the loss of a child. But her commitment to carrying her children with her reveals the transformative power of motherhood, even in the face of tragedy. By asserting her role as the sole mother to her children, the singer underscores the unique and irreplaceable nature of a mother's love.


One interesting fact about "Three Babies" is that it was inspired by Sinéad O'Connor's experiences as a mother. In interviews, the singer has spoken about the deep significance of motherhood in her life, and how her children have helped her to find purpose and meaning in the world. The song was released on O'Connor's 1990 album "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got," which was a critical and commercial success. In addition to "Three Babies," the album included hits like "Nothing Compares 2 U," which topped charts around the world.


Another interesting fact about "Three Babies" is that it has been covered by a number of other artists over the years. One notable cover was recorded by the band Everything But the Girl for their 1992 EP "Driving." The cover features a quieter, more introspective take on the song that highlights the emotional intensity of the lyrics. Other artists who have covered "Three Babies" include Lisa Loeb, Isobel Campbell, and Vyvienne Long.


Chords: Unfortunately, the chords for "Three Babies" were not readily available.


Line by Line Meaning

Each of these my three babies
SinГ©ad O'Connor is referring to her three children


I will carry with me
She will always carry her children with her


For myself
She only asks that she is the mother to her children


I ask no one else will be
She doesn't want anyone else to take care of her children


Mother to these three
She wants to be the sole mother to her children


And of course
This emphasizes that her perspective is obvious


I'm like a wild horse
She is untamed and free-spirited


But there's no other way I could be
Being a free spirit is essential to her being


Water and feed are not tools
SinГ©ad O'Connor doesn't need basics like food and water


That I need for the thing that I've chosen to be
She has chosen a path that doesn't require basic necessities


In my soul
Her path is something she feels profoundly


My blood and my bones
Her path is something innate to her being


I have wrapped your cold bodies around me
She is symbolically holding her children close, even when not physically present


The face on you
She will always remember her children's faces


The smell of you
She will always remember her children's scent


Will always be with me
Her children will always be a part of her


I was not willing to leave
She couldn't bear to be separated from her children


Though I tried
She attempted to distance herself from her children, but couldn't


I blasphemed and denied
She may have gone against what she believed, but couldn't abandon her children


I know they will be returned to me
She is confident that she will be reunited with her children


Have brought you closer to me
Having her children has allowed her to build a closer relationship with herself


No longer mad like a horse
She is no longer wild and untamed, but still free-spirited


I'm still wild but not lost
She is still untamed, but has found direction


And it's `cause you've thrilled me
Her children have brought new joy and excitement to her life


Silenced me
Her children have brought peace to her life


Stilled me
Her children have brought calm to her life


Proved things I never believed
Her children have shown her new things and changed her perspective




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SINEAD O'CONNOR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@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

9 More Replies...

@kybalion1367

Sinead didn't die, she's just singing in other dimensions.

@watchinvidzwatchinvidz7691

She always felt like she was singing from another world & demension. She is unworldly.

@stephanestermann7451

Elle chante toujours dans ma tête❤

@Str8W.tm4rv

True chiz

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