I Am Stretched On Your Grave
Sinead O'Connor · So Far...The Best Of Sinead O'connor
And will lie there forever
If your hands were in mine
I'd be sure we'd 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 safe in my bed
From night until morning
I am stretched at your head
Calling out to the air
With tears hot and wild
My grief for the girl
That I loved as a child
Do you remember
The night we were lost
In the shade of the blackthorn
And the chill of the frost
Thanks be to Jesus
We did what was right
And your maiden head still
Is your pillar of light
The priests and the friars
Approach me in dread
Because I still love you
My love and you're dead
I still would be your shelter
Through rain and through storm
And with you in your cold grave
I cannot sleep warm
So I'm stretched on your grave
And will lie there forever
If you hands were in mine
I'd be sure we'd 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
About I Am Stretched On Your Grave
Sinead O'Connor's "I Am Stretched On Your Grave" stands as a haunting centerpiece on her compilation *So Far...The Best Of Sinead O'Connor*, where it is presented alongside her most iconic tracks from *I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got*. The song exemplifies her signature blend of folk-rock and punk influences, characterized by a raw, unfiltered vocal delivery that strips away pretense to confront themes of betrayal and emotional devastation. Recorded during the height of her career, the track leverages her ability to transform personal anguish into universal catharsis, a hallmark of her discography that includes seminal works like "Famine" and "Nothing Compares To You." The recording captures the turbulent spirit of the early 1990s, utilizing sparse instrumentation to amplify the lyrical narrative of a lover's remorse. Its enduring power lies in its directness, offering a stark, memorable moment within her broader body of work that continues to resonate with listeners seeking authentic emotional expression.