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Sinéad O'Connor — I Am Stretched On Your Grave
Album: I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1407









Released: 1990
Length: 5:30
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I am stretched on your grave
And I'll lie here forever
If your hands were in mine
I'd be sure they would not sever
My apple tree, my brightness
It's time we were together
For I smell of the earth
And am worn by the weather

When my family thinks
That I'm safely in my bed
From morn until night
I am stretched at your head
Calling out to the earth
With tears hot and wild
For the loss of the girl
That I loved as a child

Do you remember the night
Oh, the night we were lost
In the shade of the blackthorn
And the cold chill of frost
Oh, and thanks be to Jesus
We did all that was right
And your maiden head still
Is your pillar of light

The priests and the friars
They approach me in dread
Because I love you still
Oh, my love and you're dead
I still will be your shelter
Through rain and through storm
And with you in your cold grave
I cannot sleep warm

So I am stretched on your grave
And I'll lie here forever
If your hands were in mine
I'd be sure they would not sever
My apple tree, my brightness
It's time we were together
For I smell of the earth
And am worn by the weather
Comments (202)add comment
Brilliant cover of an ancient Irish ditty. 
 ttackryan242 wrote:

Stop writing. Listen



I have.  Now try listening to the version by Dead Can Dance on _Toward The Within_.
Hard bounce for me; drums clash hard with lyrics, IMO.
OMG how dreary.
Stop writing. Listen
Gosh, I had forgotten how great this track was.  Thanks for the reminder, William and Co....
excellant
funny, on william's PSA just now he said this song was NOT one played a lot on commercial radio back in the day. it was where i lived, though. 

will miss her unmistakable voice and personality.
RIP, Sinead.   : (
Her death makes me so sad. Great voice, great talent, great person with an early injured soul. R.I.P. Sinéad! 
She was a little nutty, and too intent on being a firebrand for me to be a big fan, but I had to appreciate her insistence on being an original.  And I love the hell out of this tune.

I saw a recent interview with her and despite all her eccentric flair, she was pretty much just a gruff, grizzled, cigarette smoking old Irish woman, and still making no apologies.  I thought it was great.  

Rest in peace.
Fair well great heart
 nampelkafe wrote:

Poor girl, Sinéad was a so talented musician. But she had so deep hurts deep inside that she couldn't get healed...
I pray for her soul. God bless her!



Amen.
Have always enjoyed her beautiful voice. Thank you for sharing it with us, Sinéad. RIP.

Poor girl, Sinéad was a so talented musician. But she had so deep wounds deep inside that she couldn't get healed...
I pray for her soul. God bless her!
I just found out the news from Bill here. Stunned and sad. How can we not have your voice anymore?

Troy Pinkpop Festival 1988. RIP

Such a talent. So sad. 
Rest in Peace Sinead. Thank you for your life and your profound voice, in every respect. 
And a big loss for this Baby Boomer as well.
RIP Sinead.
A big loss for this Gen-Xer. 
RIP, Sinead.
This entire album  is a fantastic listen front to back. 
 dischuckin wrote:

from the initial drum line i was hopeful it was this , but dissapointed



Same here... lol 'As I was walkin' down rubadub square'
The beat sounds like the start of a Sublime song Scarlet Begonia.
What an awful song, not surprising considering the artist
The lyrics of this song - outstanding. And that should be expected from someone who puts emphasis & meaning to every word she utters.
 dischuckin wrote:
from the initial drum line i was hopeful it was this , but dissapointed
 
Or James Brown Funky Drummer
 maboleth wrote:
Absolute junk.
 
Just say you don't like it, rather than choosing to offend.
Do not like.  Too much mismatch between the text and the drums.
i'm sure cat and she have their reasons especially sinead. their music is sublime. leave it be. 

but they changed their fookin' names. that can't be good. 
 dischuckin wrote:
from the initial drum line i was hopeful it was this , but dissapointed

 
YESSSSSS!!! 
from the initial drum line i was hopeful it was this , but dissapointed
Allahu Akbar
Dead Can Dance did this so much better, so much more effectively.  This version ought to be buried in that unhappy grave.  
 reindeer wrote:
I really don't care for the monotone of this song or the vocals. 
This song could be used to torture prisoners.

 
I do care… the monotony of this song makes a boring rainy day even more boring {#Eh}
Dear Sinead, er, I mean Magda, please forgive them for they know not what they say!

We love you the way you are. 
Other than a wailing cat, all I can hear is "Yes, the Rhythm, the Rebel !"
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Honestly Sinead, why so serious?
Instead of stretching out on someone's grave (I mean really), why not go for a frosty beverage on a sunny patio?
Go nuts and order the nachos WITH the guacamole!

 
Woah woah woah! Too much, too soon.
so sad news...
Gobble, gobble.
Absolute junk.
 reindeer wrote:
This song could be used to torture prisoners.
 
Snu-snu. Horrible fate, horrible!
I don't like Sinéad, I’ve never liked Sinéad. But I think this track is outstandingly good, and you have no idea how hard it was for me to admit this to myself!
 And a rainy, cold Thursday afternoon . . . 

IndyDoug wrote:
Sounding great on a rainy Monday morning...

 


Nice lil Trip Hop from Sinead, right here, sadly ruined by the Lucky Charms Jig thingy
 ThePoose wrote:
My favourite date? O'Connor on one side and Bjork on the other. 
I didn't say I was going to escape unscathed.
 
Seek therapy now!  ; )
A brilliant album.
I really don't care for the monotone of this song or the vocals. 
This song could be used to torture prisoners.
My favourite date? O'Connor on one side and Bjork on the other. 
I didn't say I was going to escape unscathed. 
 ScottishWillie wrote:
 bitbanger wrote:
Likely she pisses a lot of people off because her viewpoint brooks no disagreement or divergence.

She pisses people off because she loves to attack people/organisations and say controversial thing that upset others. She then moves into full martyr mode when they retaliate and attack her back. I respect her right to express her views but she loses my respect when she whines and weeps when all hell breaks loose after her outbursts. If you don’t want the vitriol shut up.

 
I've read this a few times - think about it, it's just how trolls behave. And, with trolls, "the only winning move is not to play". AKA "don't feed the trolls" :)
 
 On_The_Beach wrote:

. . . that you're joking (otherwise, eek).

 
A year later brings many changes down the Trumpage Highway. Or not.
PSD'd to Tull - Reasons for Waiting.  Result.  I love RP.
RP skills so subtle. There's been some brilliant post election programming. And nice supermoon sets! What would we do without you? And thanks for so many women included. Now, more than ever, we rock. And RP rules!
Interesting vocals...seems like a difficult song to carry.
Always admired O'Connor's talent.
 maboleth wrote:
Another pompous Irish artist. :-/

 
Yeah, I blame all those shillelaghs. 
This is really quite an awesome song.
Sounding great on a rainy Monday morning...


raenvald wrote:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Stretched_on_Your_Grave

"I Am Stretched on Your Grave" is a translation of an anonymous 17th-century Irish poem titled "Táim sínte ar do thuama". It was translated into English several times, most notably by Frank O'Connor. It was put to music by musician Philip King in 1979.

It is set to the tune of "Taim Sinte ar do Thuamba", Hymn #47 in Danta De: Idir Sean agus Nuad (the Trinity Sunday hymn "Dia an t-Athair do shealbhaig flaitheas naomhtha"). The hymnal says the tune is from Munster.

While the translation and tune had both existed prior to its first recording as a whole, and in various versions of melody and lyric (and all or most likely possessing a strong similarity), the popular and current versions are influenced or rely heavily on the adapted version by King, which was recorded on the group Scullion's first album from 1979 on the Mulligan Records label (called Scullion), and titled "I Am Stretched on Your Grave."

 

  

 
fredriley wrote:

Mòran taing :)

 
Thank you!!

And it's a 9 to me too. I didn't know this song at all, so when it came up, in my gorgeous sunny Sunday morning in Beijing, in an atmosphere poles apart from the gloom and night, I wondered who this voice so close to Sinéad O'Connor was. The contrast between the timber of the voice, fresh and clear, the staccato of the drums, haunting and repetitive, and the words, which reminded me of Poe and Villon,  is intriguing, and, because I couldn't identify the source it sounded like some sort medieval, or even older ritual. 
Thank you @frediley to have pushed up the previous comment by @raenvald explaining the origins of this hymn!




 maboleth wrote:
Another pompous Irish artist. :-/

 
Irish Catholic to put a finer point on it.  

Fallen?  Doesn't matter; they are all the same. ;-)   
It certainly is interesting to note how diverse listeners tastes are.  I rate this a 9 {#Roflol}
I wish there were negative numbers to rate this song! 
Another pompous Irish artist. :-/
 ico wrote:

nop, definitely nop!

 
Definitely not her best! 2.
Loves me some Sinead on this rainy day.............BOOM!
spot on from Sinead - she's alright
 TianGongZhong wrote:
Not good....1

 
nop, definitely nop!
Fantastic arrangement!
Godlike    
Not good....1
 Clarentine wrote:
The Dead Can Dance version of this song always stops me in my tracks, but this one leaves me scratching my head.  What the heck is that drum track doing paired up with a lament?  They clash something awful, in my opinion.  I kept hoping the drums would morph into something more pertinent to the song and its lyrics.  Eh?
 

 Proclivities wrote:
I think it's deliberate that they clash; I pretty sure the intention of her and her producer was creating a "tension" with this version.  I'm not a committed fan of Sinead O'Connor, but I always liked how the instrumentation of this version makes it sound disembodied and gloomy - it always made it "pertinent to the song and its lyrics" to my ears.
  

I was going to comment Proclivities but you have already said what I was thinking and in a much more eloquently way. Thanks!


It's a sad and eerie song and the drum beat reminds me of Mid Eastern music.
I love all the trainspotting on the drum loop in this thread. If you love it too, then here's a fun link for your enjoyment! https://www.toryhoke.com/2009/03/27/the-funky-drummer-vs-the-amen-break/
 Hannio wrote:

We can only hope.

 
. . . that you're joking (otherwise, eek).
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Not to worry; your next President, Donald Trump, will be shutting down all the "liberal arts colleges".
Soon as he gets done building that wall.

 

We can only hope.


 raenvald wrote:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Stretched_on_Your_Grave

"I Am Stretched on Your Grave" is a translation of an anonymous 17th-century Irish poem titled "Táim sínte ar do thuama". It was translated into English several times, most notably by Frank O'Connor. It was put to music by musician Philip King in 1979.

It is set to the tune of "Taim Sinte ar do Thuamba", Hymn #47 in Danta De: Idir Sean agus Nuad (the Trinity Sunday hymn "Dia an t-Athair do shealbhaig flaitheas naomhtha"). The hymnal says the tune is from Munster.

While the translation and tune had both existed prior to its first recording as a whole, and in various versions of melody and lyric (and all or most likely possessing a strong similarity), the popular and current versions are influenced or rely heavily on the adapted version by King, which was recorded on the group Scullion's first album from 1979 on the Mulligan Records label (called Scullion), and titled "I Am Stretched on Your Grave."

 

 
Mòran taing :)
 Clarentine wrote:
The Dead Can Dance version of this song always stops me in my tracks, but this one leaves me scratching my head.  What the heck is that drum track doing paired up with a lament?  They clash something awful, in my opinion.  I kept hoping the drums would morph into something more pertinent to the song and its lyrics.  Eh?

 
Yep, I'll second that. The DCD version gives me the willies, this just gives me the hump. It's an old scary story of dark obsession which should generate goose pimples, it's not a number to dance to with a crappy drum track. I respect herself as a singer and a woman of passion, but as with all experimental and daring artists she occasionally produces turkeys, and this one's a gobbler :(
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Not to worry; your next President, Donald Trump, will be shutting down all the "liberal arts colleges".
Soon as he gets done building that wall.

 
I can see him now, building a business plan for why there is no point in having these expensive nukes and not using them.
 Hannio wrote:
So she is just like so many other special snowflakes that abound in universities and liberal arts colleges.
 
Not to worry; your next President, Donald Trump, will be shutting down all the "liberal arts colleges".
Soon as he gets done building that wall.
 raenvald wrote:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Stretched_on_Your_Grave

"I Am Stretched on Your Grave" is a translation of an anonymous 17th-century Irish poem titled "Táim sínte ar do thuama". It was translated into English several times, most notably by Frank O'Connor. It was put to music by musician Philip King in 1979.

It is set to the tune of "Taim Sinte ar do Thuamba", Hymn #47 in Danta De: Idir Sean agus Nuad (the Trinity Sunday hymn "Dia an t-Athair do shealbhaig flaitheas naomhtha"). The hymnal says the tune is from Munster.

While the translation and tune had both existed prior to its first recording as a whole, and in various versions of melody and lyric (and all or most likely possessing a strong similarity), the popular and current versions are influenced or rely heavily on the adapted version by King, which was recorded on the group Scullion's first album from 1979 on the Mulligan Records label (called Scullion), and titled "I Am Stretched on Your Grave."

 

 
... after all that, it's still rather tiresome, innit?  Bleh.
 ScottishWillie wrote:
 bitbanger wrote:
Likely she pisses a lot of people off because her viewpoint brooks no disagreement or divergence.

She pisses people off because she loves to attack people/organisations and say controversial thing that upset others. She then moves into full martyr mode when they retaliate and attack her back. I respect her right to express her views but she loses my respect when she whines and weeps when all hell breaks loose after her outbursts. If you don’t want the vitriol shut up.



 
So she is just like so many other special snowflakes that abound in universities and liberal arts colleges.
 scrubbrush wrote:
Dig that funky drummer!

 
Unfortunatly, he is dead, it is the famous Amen Break sample.  Coleman died homeless and broke in Atlanta in 2006.

oops, nope, its funky drummer.     its not played live on this, thats for sure.  she was probably in the studio for a few hours at most.
This is a really long song. {#Cry}

Perfect segue from Massive Attack's Angel both deeply wonderfully disturbing!


A lot of Irish musicians today - nice one :)
While you're at it, why not play something by Paul Brady?
 Clarentine wrote:
The Dead Can Dance version of this song always stops me in my tracks, but this one leaves me scratching my head.  What the heck is that drum track doing paired up with a lament?  They clash something awful, in my opinion.  I kept hoping the drums would morph into something more pertinent to the song and its lyrics.  Eh?
 
I think it's deliberate that they clash; I pretty sure the intention of her and her producer was creating a "tension" with this version.  I'm not a committed fan of Sinead O'Connor, but I always liked how the instrumentation of this version makes it sound disembodied and gloomy - it always made it "pertinent to the song and its lyrics" to my ears.
7 -> 8.
{#Fire}   {#No}  {#Arghhh}  {#Razz}  {#Frustrated}
Brilliant! Thank you raenvald  
Boring dirge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Stretched_on_Your_Grave

"I Am Stretched on Your Grave" is a translation of an anonymous 17th-century Irish poem titled "Táim sínte ar do thuama". It was translated into English several times, most notably by Frank O'Connor. It was put to music by musician Philip King in 1979.

It is set to the tune of "Taim Sinte ar do Thuamba", Hymn #47 in Danta De: Idir Sean agus Nuad (the Trinity Sunday hymn "Dia an t-Athair do shealbhaig flaitheas naomhtha"). The hymnal says the tune is from Munster.

While the translation and tune had both existed prior to its first recording as a whole, and in various versions of melody and lyric (and all or most likely possessing a strong similarity), the popular and current versions are influenced or rely heavily on the adapted version by King, which was recorded on the group Scullion's first album from 1979 on the Mulligan Records label (called Scullion), and titled "I Am Stretched on Your Grave."

 
Could not get enough of this album when it first came out. I played it on loop. Still love it!
me, I crank this puppy way up, it sounds fuckin awesome
Tedious....  :-(
 Clarentine wrote:
The Dead Can Dance version of this song always stops me in my tracks, but this one leaves me scratching my head.  What the heck is that drum track doing paired up with a lament?  They clash something awful, in my opinion.  I kept hoping the drums would morph into something more pertinent to the song and its lyrics.  Eh?

 
I agree, this drum beat sounds so out of date. And DCD live version is so much better than this...
 rblommers wrote:
ENOUGH Cyanide O'Connor PLEASE...so whiny & irritating.
RadioRon 

 
PSD. Try it.
Great song.
Crikey, this is annoying.  PSD for these ears.
Dig that funky drummer!
Great song - excellent album.
ENOUGH Cyanide O'Connor PLEASE...so whiny & irritating.
RadioRon 
The Dead Can Dance version of this song always stops me in my tracks, but this one leaves me scratching my head.  What the heck is that drum track doing paired up with a lament?  They clash something awful, in my opinion.  I kept hoping the drums would morph into something more pertinent to the song and its lyrics.  Eh?
 bitbanger wrote:
Likely she pisses a lot of people off because her viewpoint brooks no disagreement or divergence.

She pisses people off because she loves to attack people/organisations and say controversial thing that upset others. She then moves into full martyr mode when they retaliate and attack her back. I respect her right to express her views but she loses my respect when she whines and weeps when all hell breaks loose after her outbursts. If you don’t want the vitriol shut up.


 alanthecowboy wrote:

Lots of songs sample the Amen Break, but this song sampled 'Funky Drummer' by James Brown...

 

Shame on me. You are correct, sir.
 Segue wrote:

Likely she pisses a lot of people off because she's a female with a viewpoint brooks no disagreement or divergence.

 
Likely she pisses a lot of people off because she is a sanctimonious snot with a brilliant mind and great voice.
She's weird(o)...
 Segue wrote:

Likely she pisses a lot of people off because she's a female with a viewpoint brooks no disagreement or divergence.

 
Cultural balkanization seems to be a popular pastime these days.
 Derecho wrote:
Notes about this familiar drum loop: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amen_break

 
Lots of songs sample the Amen Break, but this song sampled 'Funky Drummer' by James Brown...
This album is 24 years old and it's still good,
if she comes around this time I think I'll go...good blog bit on aging I liked out there
early Marcus Garvey
 Derecho wrote:
Notes about this familiar drum loop: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amen_break

 
THANK YOU Derecho for *adding* something to the conversation {#Clap}
I had no idea about the whole Amen Break thing, it's dazzling how familiar it is, and it's great to listen to the sources/originals from which it was sampled and started its endless journey.

I'm just enraptured by Sinead's version and I love Dead can Dance as well.
 bitbanger wrote:

Likely she pisses a lot of people off because her viewpoint brooks no disagreement or divergence.

 
Likely she pisses a lot of people off because she's a female with a viewpoint brooks no disagreement or divergence.
very nice!
 
A very bad release, halfway between Dead Can Dance and a Indian-style litany.   
 pixiep wrote:
Sinead might piss people off, but she is amazingly talented, such a wonderful voice

 
Likely she pisses a lot of people off because her viewpoint brooks no disagreement or divergence.
The Live Version of this song is excellent!

Live Music Is Better: bumper stickers should be issued.

{#Clap} 
 diane wrote:
My feet want to march...
My head wants P & Q.
 
my finger wants to PSD.....
yes she was quite intense but that girl sure could sing..
Sinead might piss people off, but she is amazingly talented, such a wonderful voice
I Love the Dead Can Dance version but this was good. I don't understand a lot of the negative comments except that Sinead has a knack for pissing people off. 
beautiful song, awesome singer
Notes about this familiar drum loop: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amen_break