Mother
Sinead & The Band O'Connor Lyrics


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This is to mother you
To comfort you and get you through
Through when your nights are lonely
Through when your dreams are only blue
This is to mother you

This is to be with you
To hold you and to kiss you too
For when you need me I will do
What your own mother didn't do
Which is to mother you

All the pain that you have known
All the violence in your soul
All the wrong things you have done
I will take from you when I come
All mistakes made in distress
All your unhappiness
I will take away with my kiss, yes
I will give you tenderness

For child I am so glad I've found you
Although my arms have always been around you
Sweet bird, although you did not see me
I saw you

And I'm here to mother you
To comfort you and get you through
Through when your nights are lonely




Through when your dreams are only blue
This is to mother you

Overall Meaning

The song "Mother" is a conversation between a son and his mother. The son is expressing his fears about the world and questioning whether he should trust authority figures. The lyrics paint a picture of a world plagued by war and distrust, where everyone seems to be out to get him. The son is seeking reassurance from his mother, but instead, she seems to be exacerbating his fears.


The opening lines of the song set the tone for the conversation, with the son asking his mother if she thinks a bomb will be dropped. He is also worried about being persecuted and wondering if building a wall will protect him. The son even questions if he should run for president or trust the government, showing his mistrust of authority figures.


Throughout the song, the son continues to ask his mother if he will be safe, if his love interests are trustworthy, and if the wall will protect him. In response, the mother tells him that she will always be there to protect him, but her responses are often ambiguous and can be interpreted as either reassuring or manipulative.


Overall, "Mother" is a powerful commentary on the human condition, highlighting the fears that we all face in a world that can seem unstable and unpredictable.


Line by Line Meaning

Mother do you think they'll drop the bomb ?
Asking if there's a possibility or not that someone will drop a bomb.


Mother do you think they'll like this song ?
Asking if people will appreciate this particular song or not.


Mother do you think they'll try to break my balls ?
Asking if somebody will harass her.


Ooooh, mother should I build a wall ?
Wondering if it is a good idea to create a barrier for protection.


Mother should I run for president ?
Wondering if it is a good idea for her to run for president.


Mother should I trust the government ?
Asking if the government is trustworthy.


Mother will they put me in the firing line ?
Asking if she will be in a vulnerable position.


Oooh is it just a waste of time ?
Questioning if it will have a positive outcome or if it's simply a waste of time.


Hush now baby, baby don't you cry.
Comforting the baby.


Mama's gonna make all of your nightmares come true.
Promising to fulfill the baby's wildest dreams even if it is scary for the baby.


Mama's gonna put all of her fears into you.
Transferring her own fears onto the baby.


Mama's gonna keep you right here under her wing.
Protecting the baby from harm by keeping it close.


She won't let you fly but she might let you sing.
Allowing the baby to express itself through song while still keeping it close for safety.


Mama will keep baby cosy and warm.
Ensuring that the baby is comfortable and warm.


Ooooh Babe, Ooooh Babe, Ooooh Babe, Of course Mama's gonna help build the wall !
Affirmation that Mama will definitely help build the wall.


Mother do you think she's good enough, for me?
Asking for mother's opinion on the suitability of someone for her.


Mother do you think she's dangerous, to me?
Asking if someone poses a threat to her safety.


Mama will they tear little boy apart?
Asking if somebody is a danger to the baby.


Oooh, mother will she break my heart?
Asking if someone will emotionally hurt her.


Mama's gonna check out all your girlfriends for you.
Inspecting potential romantic partners for her child.


Mama won't let anyone dirty get through.
Protecting her child from people who are harmful or dishonest.


Mama's gonna wait up until you get in.
Staying up late to ensure that her child arrives at home safely.


Mama will always find out where you've been.
Monitoring the whereabouts of her child to ensure it's safe.


Mama's gonna keep baby healthy and clean.
Ensuring that her child is well taken care of and maintaining good hygiene.


Ooooh Babe, Ooooh Babe, Ooooh Babe, You'll always be a baby to me !
Reassuring her child that she will always see them as their baby.


Mother, did it need to be so high ?
Questioning if something needed to be so exaggerated or extreme.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sinead Marie Bernarde O'Connor

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

@seanfeeney418

R.I.P. angel.

You were a prophet. And prophets get stoned. You did not deserve the vitriol you received from Americans of the MAGA type - the war mongering Americans, the Redneck Americans, the backward Americans, not just the ugly American, but the stupid American.

I applaud your courage and steadfastness. I applaud the support you received from Kris Kristofferson.

I’m disgusted by the violent physical threats by so-called men like Joe Pesci and Frank Sinatra (real tough guys, smh) towards a slight, very young girl standing up against a world of violence.

Sinéad O'Connor - nothing compares to you.



@michell7416

What a sublime voice!
What talent !
Today maybe you wear the veil and turn to another religion.
Well then that will never take that talent away from you, behind that veil or whatever religion you choose.
This talent, this magnificent voice will remain omnipresent.
Behind each individual hides a soul and assumes these choices, but does not take anything away from the individual he is and has chosen to be!
And that whether he is from any continent or skin color.
Sinead you have a talent that is still there, thank you.
I remain an admirer of your superb songs.



All comments from YouTube:

@Water_is_Sacred777

My favorite Sinead song of all time. It got me through many troubles. May this beautiful troubled soul called Sinead rest in God's arms. ☮

@73altruist

amen!

@andrem5135

Rest in paradise dear Sinéad, you brought more than just music. I’m forever thankfully grateful for everything you did, delivered and proved. 🖤

@adarigual6746

@seanfeeney418

R.I.P. angel.

You were a prophet. And prophets get stoned. You did not deserve the vitriol you received from Americans of the MAGA type - the war mongering Americans, the Redneck Americans, the backward Americans, not just the ugly American, but the stupid American.

I applaud your courage and steadfastness. I applaud the support you received from Kris Kristofferson.

I’m disgusted by the violent physical threats by so-called men like Joe Pesci and Frank Sinatra (real tough guys, smh) towards a slight, very young girl standing up against a world of violence.

Sinéad O'Connor - nothing compares to you.

@seanfeeney418

Americanism is a fanatical cult. The flag is treated as a sacramental. The national anthem is treated as a religious hymn. To get stupid americans to march along with all the atrocities we have continually committed throughout the world all you have to do is wave the flag, pound the chest, play the anthem, spew the propaganda lies, and stupid americans will march right into the war mongering and capitalist abuse. The religion of Americanism is one made up of fanaticism, fascism, blind obedience, jingoism, chauvinism, hatred of the other, hatred of people of color, and sheer redneck stupidity.

@basemahmedabusaada179

RIP ❤🙏🌹

@VictoriaReynolds

So many of us have needed to reparent ourselves as we heal our childhood stories. This is such a beautiful mothering ourselves song.

@zxy78267

I loved my mother so much. She had some mental health issues, though, that were never treated, and rarely mentioned. I went to therapy in my twenties after a very abusive relationship. To my surprise, after addressing the damage from my ex, a lot of my conversations with my therapist ended up centered around my mom. I miss her, and she did her best.

@lalopacoloco

😢

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