Jerusalem
Sinad OConnor Lyrics

The lyrics to Sinad OConnor's song "Jerusalem" are packed with vivid images and emotions that evoke feelings of pain, anger, and frustration. The lyrics paint a picture of a city that has been ravaged by war and turmoil, where people are struggling to survive amidst the chaos. The lines "Ran down and the lady said it, It got torn down, And the priest just said, It got burned" capture the sense of despair and hopelessness that pervades the city. These words are repeated twice to emphasize how the destruction of the city has become a recurring cycle that people have come to accept as normal.

The singer of the song seems to be trapped in this cycle of destruction and despair as well. She speaks of being given "five years five years" and how it's now her turn to suffer. This could be a reference to a prison sentence, or perhaps a metaphor for the way life seems to be passing her by while she's stuck in this bleak environment. The refrain "Oh Jerusalem" is both a cry of anguish and a plea for help. It's as if she's calling out to the city itself, asking it to be kinder to her and to stop the violence that's tearing it apart.

The second half of the song takes a turn towards the personal, as the singer speaks of a relationship gone wrong. She's frustrated with her partner, who keeps making promises that he doesn't keep. She wants to see him, but he's always "busy" and she's tired of his excuses. The lines "Hope your next time gonna be the last time, Hope you don't two-time" suggest that he's been unfaithful to her. She's angry and wants him to make things right, to "deliver all the letters on time" so that they can move forward. The refrain "Jerusalem" is repeated over and over again, as if to underscore the idea that this relationship, like the city, is in need of renewal and healing.