Today marks the one year anniversary of the passing of Sinead O' Connor. I would like to share with you my tanka set, "It's been seven hours and 15 days," and two of her songs, "Nothing Compares 2 U" and "Drink Before the War," and three of her creation and truth quotes, " to remember one of the most innovative and courageous musical icons.
It's been seven hours and 15 days
for Sinéad O'Connor (8 December 1966 – 26 July 2023)
nothing compares,
nothing compares to you ...
this undead
night creature at last lets go
of herself, of the world
nothing, nothing
can take away these blues ...
I straddle the gulf
between dream and reality
seeing her turn back, not turn back
Ribbons, 19:3, Fall 2023
FYI: Sinéad O’Connor called herself "undead night creature" since her son Shane died by suicide in 2022.
Lyrics:
It's been seven hours and fifteen days
Since you took your love away
I go out every night and sleep all day
Since you took your love away
Since you been gone, I can do whatever I want
I can see whomever I choose
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant
But nothing
I said nothing can take away these blues
'Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
It's been so lonely without you here
Like a bird without a song
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling
Tell me baby, where did I go wrong?
I could put my arms around every boy I see
But they'd only remind me of you
I went to the doctor, guess what he told me
Guess what he told me
He said, "Girl you better try to have fun, no matter what you do"
But he's a fool
'Cause nothing compares,
nothing compares to you
All the flowers that you planted mama
In the back yard
All died when you went away
I know that living with you baby was sometimes hard
But I'm willing to give it another try
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Well, you tell us that we're wrong
And you tell us not to sing our song
Nothing we can say will make you see
You got a heart of stone, you can never feel
You say "Oh, I'm not afraid, it can't happen to me
I've lived my life as a good man
Oh, no you're out of your mind
It won't happen to me
'Cause I've carried my weight and I've been a strong man"
Listen to the man in the liquor store
Yelling "anybody want a drink before the war?"
And your parents paid you through
You got a nice big car, nothing bothers you
Somebody cut out your eyes, you refuse to see
Ah, somebody cut out your heart, you refuse to feel
And you live in a shell
You create your own hell
You live in the past and talk about war
And you dig your own grave, yeah
But it's a life you can save
So stop getting fast, it's not gonna happen
And you'll cry but you'll never fall, no, no, no
You're building a wall
Gotta break it down, start again
No, no, no, it won't happen to us
We've lived our lives, basically we've been good men
So stop talking of war
'Cause you know we've heard it all before
Why don't you go out there and do something useful?
Oh, listen to the man in the liquor store
He yelling "anybody want to drink before the war?"
"Anybody want to drink before the war?"
"Anybody want to drink before the war?"
To say what you feel is to dig your own grave.
Nobody gets between me and my microphone.
I'm on fire when I'm singing, I'm completely in character, I use my sense memories, and every syllable of it is meant. It's a very special thing.
-- Sinéad O'Connor
