Throw Down Your Arms album

Liner notes

This record is dedicated to my little son, Nevi'im Nesta Ali Shane O'Connor

"Before I formed you in your mother's womb, I knew you"

Thanks first and foremost to the great men who wrote and performed these songs and whose inspiration has kept me nourished with strength at times when I might otherwise have lost faith in myself. These men were part of a battle fought for self-esteem and for the freeing of God from religion. As such, they are my heroes, my teachers, my masters, my priests, my prophets, my guides and my godfathers. And I could never in a million words or years, express the love and gratitude I feel toward them, for the truth and rights which they benevolently taught through music and which raised God from the dead in the sould of a little Irish Catholic woman. Nor could I express the influence they have had on my own singing and songwriting. The originals of these songs can never be bettered, and so all I can hope in recording them, is to honour the composers and pass on their teachings, in the hope that doing so will carry the message of Rastafarai to some who might otherwise not know that God and religion are two very different things. And that God is alive in, and around all of us.

Maria Callas, when asked how one should find the right emotion for a song said, "The composer has taken care of everything. Just do exactly as the composer has written", and for that reason I have kept exactly true to the originals, with exception of making key changes to suit a woman's voice.

Thanks then to Sly and Robbie and all the unbelievable musicians who played on this record. And to Fatta and Roland and Bulby. Working with you all was the most incredible experience I ever had in music. Ye are kings and Queens! Thanks to Buffy, too, for bein' Dad.

Thanks then to Danny Heaps, my manager and my night in shining armour. Thanks to Beth Ann too.

Thanks to Angela and her amazing family for all the love and support they give me and my children, without which this record couldn't have been made. Thanks also to Jo, our nanny, for the same.

Thanks of course to my three beautiful children, Jake, Roisin and Shane, for not minding too much Mum being away for three weeks. I missed you guys so rotten!!!! My lambs. An I cried every day, after the first week! But God is good. An Mama got to make a good record. So we all get Christmas presents!!

Thanks also to beautiful, sweaty Donal Lynch, for keeping me company in Jamaica and being my friend. Your support was much more than you could ever know. And Sharon thanks you too.

Thanks also to Hilly and John and all the Dunfords, for being so good to me an me kids. Thanks to Alan McDonnell and Rachel Mooney. Yiz clever bastards. I'da been down a hole without ye. An yiz got me out. By the way Alan, I'm sorry I fucked up your car. Thanks to Benjamin Zephania, for his loving friendship and kindness when I was in Jamaica and the rest of the time. Thanks also to Nick Sommerlad, for hangin' out in Kingston. Thanks to Fatis. And Murphy. Thanks to Sticky for the fry spratt. Thanks to Cat at Tuff Gong and the bobos who painted my staff. Thanks also to Steve Cooney for protecting my staff and myself with his huge spirit. And his gum leaves. Thanks to Dr Dread at Ras Records. Thanks to Pat Savage and Michael Guido. Thanks to my friends Con and Carol and Emma and Joe and Victoria and Tommy and the two Grahams and Gordon and Romio and all you other crazy bastards whom I love. Thanks to Burning Spear and Mrs Rodney. Thanks to Skelly for your huge kind heart.

Thanks to my sister Eimear and my father, as always, for the encouragement not to rot away in the kitchen!!! And to maybe try the bit of singin' instead. Thanks for the same to Gerry Ryan.

If I've forgotten anyone, please forgive me and consider yourself kissed. Or shagged. As the case may be. (Sorry Dad.)

Sinéad O'Connor