httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEjx2B-RmAU
Sinéad O’Connor singing The Times They Are A-Changing — From the Late Late Show April 2nd 2010

What is a Real V.I.P ?

Do we have the balls to go to that party?
Or would we rather dance with vanity? Tell me now what’s a real V.I.P?

Who are we to give that name to us?
When we don’t know the lives of others.
When we can barely raise a finger.
to help our own sisters and brothers.

Wasn’t it in history.
The artists always spoke their people’s needs?
Now we’re gorged upon what devils feed
In the shallow form of M.T.V

Telling the youth to worship futile dreams.
And long for bling and for material things.
I tell you what a really real V.I.P is..
A face that never was nor will be kissed.

To whom exactly are we giving hope?
When we stand behind the velvet rope.
Getting our pictures taken with the pope
Like some sick April fool kind of joke.

Who is the real V.I.P?
The true and the most conquering king
Who looks around at everything?
And knows exactly what we’ve been.

His is the face that never was nor will be kissed.
Do we think we’ll be down on his guest list?
When we’re standing at the gate.
After being fashionably late.

There’ll be no make-up and there’ll be no film crew.
No vuitton bags and no manolo shoes.
When he’s presiding over you.
Asking you did you love only you.

Or did you stand for something else.
Besides the hankering for fame and famousness.
The one who always was and always is
Will show you what a real V.I.P is.

The fatherless.
The motherless.
The ravaged child at home
who cried to you.
You will be asked to say
what did you do.

What is behind his velvet curtain?
Don’t know but I can say for certain
The face that never was nor will be kissed
Will tell you what a real V.I.P is.

Sinead O’Connor. February 20th 2010

 

23 Responses to “What is a Real V.I.P ?”

  1. Polly says:

    I fear the times are not changing fast enough,Still information is being withheld, My poor Mother was in Bessboro and My Father in Artane. I can’t imagine the awful lives they had in those places. If anyone has information re Bessboro in the 30s or on the practice of “Boarding Out” I would be gratefull

  2. Davida McGuinness says:

    All of you ,apart from Judith are very inspiring, I’m glad I found your site Paddy which came off my attendance yesterday at the Professor Jim Smith talk for Justice for Magdalene Laundries. You might set up a Facebook too to reach out to more people, I would suggest? This morning I emailed TD’s because I’m so angry that not even an acknowledgment is made to Magdalene Laundry “slaves”. Shame on our so called “Free State”. The Government are trying to deny facts that in the end will come out..Seems pointless, though for the Government in power they don’t want to have to deal with it.Keep up the good work. xx

  3. Watched Sinead singing the times they are a-changing from the late late show,beautiful voice sang from the heart and soul.Well done Sinead.Catherine.

  4. Paddy says:

    And there was me thinking it made hairs grow on the palms of your hands. Ah well, you learn something new every day. Now Judith as it appears you’ve nothing productive to add to the debate taking place on this website, I will be blocking your messages. No doubt the visitors to this site will be all the poorer for not reading your intellectual comments.
    On the positive side of things Judith, you’re the FIRST person to be barred from commenting on this website. There’s a feather in your cap. Well done. Paddy.

  5. Sin makes you stupid paddy..

  6. robert says:

    sorry paddy i did the poem/song so fast there and then of the top of my head.
    but missed some words. but thanks paddy best regards robert.
    maybe some artist like sinead could put music to it. more than welcome.

  7. Paddy says:

    Yikes, now there’s a thought! I thought JC was crucified years ago, died and rose up and then by magic ascended up off a mountain and into somewhere called heaven!! If it’s all that sickening Judith, take yourself off somewhere else and try you conversion work there. I doubt there will be many takers here though I could be wrong. Paddy.

  8. Paddy says:

    Robert, will all the mails and comments that come in to this site it’s not always easy to fix all words and so on. I do my best, it would be a great help if people ran a spell check before sending a message, that would ensure the message gets onto the site quicker and quiet frankly it would save me a lot of work. Thanks. Paddy.

  9. robert says:

    PADDY PLEASE FIX SOME WORDS OOPS THANK YOU PADDY OH AND SINEAD

  10. robert says:

    OH HOW DID I EVER SURVIVE
    THROUGH THOSE DARKEST DAYS AND NIGHTS
    SHADED CORRIDORS ONE HUNDRED WINDOWS
    A THOUSAND FACES I WOULD NEVER KNOW
    OH HOW DID I EVER SURVIVE

    THE HIGH GREY WALLS TO KEEP US IN
    THE HIGH GREY WALL TO KEEP YOU OUT
    IN OR OUT THERE WAS ALWAYS THAT DOUBT
    IF I WERE COMING OR A GOING

    OH HOW DID I EVER SURVIVE
    THROUGH THOSE DARKEST DAYS AND NIGHTS
    SHADED CORRIDORS ONE HUNDRED WINDOWS
    A THOUSAND FACES I WOULD NEVER KNOW
    OH HOW DID I EVER SURVIVE

    THE TALLER I GREW THE LESS I DID KNEW
    HOW MY LIFE CAME TO PASS
    THE FEAR BEHIND OF WHAT’S IN FRONT
    SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WERE MORE THAN A FEW

    OH HOW DID I EVER SURVIVE
    THROUGH THOSE DARKEST DAYS AND NIGHTS
    SHADED CORRIDORS ONE HUNDRED WINDOWS
    A THOUSAND FACES I WOULD NEVER KNOW
    OH HOW DID I EVER SURVIVE

    I HAD BETTER KEEP QUIET AS FEAR BECOMES ME
    IN NEED OF NO OTHER PRISON
    WITH GREAT BIG WALLS AND TINY WINDOWS
    I DO NOT THINK I COULD EVER SURVIVE

    OH HOW DID I EVER SURVIVE
    THROUGH THOSE DARKEST DAYS AND NIGHTS
    SHADED CORRIDORS ONE HUNDRED WINDOWS
    A THOUSAND FACES I WOULD NEVER KNOW
    OH HOW DID I EVER SURVIVE

  11. robert says:

    ITS AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE SICKENED WHEN THEY HEAR THE TRUTH IN LIFE.
    IT IS A GREAT SITE PADDY AND SINEAD WELL DONE LASS IF OTHER ARTISTS COULD BE AS SUPPORTIVE IN TRUTH OTHERS WHO HEAR MAY FEEL SICKENED TOO AT THE DISGRACE OF THE CHURCH THAT WAS ALLOWED TO ABUSE LITTLE CHILDREN.
    HOW CAN OTHER ARTISTS SAY THEY CARE FOR THE WORLD WHEN CHILDREN WERE SUFFERING AT HOME.
    U2 BONO WHERE ARE YOU IN ALL THIS MESS MANY OF US ARE FANS AND MADE YOUR LIFE WORTH LIVING AND BANDS LIKE U2.
    ALL THESE SURVIVOR/FANS ARE ALIVE TOO BUT NO ONE IS HELPING TO MAKE THEIR LIVES WORTH LIVING IT JUST GETS WORSE AND WORSE.
    SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE MADE A GREAT DEAL OF WEALTH FOR THEMSELVES ON OUR LIVES.

  12. Yes, Paddy and Sinead are the real abusers…they are abusive to God. They still are crucifying Jesus Christ, their Savior. They are worse because they take sin and try to make it holy. That is really sickening.

  13. olivia says:

    I have never felt sick in the presence of either Paddy or Sinead – but then why would I? They are NOT the ABUSERS!!
    Thank you both for giving so many, courage and strength. You are both true Saints!

    Every good wish.

  14. Judith, like in the Bible says:

    What a very sad individual she is and named after St. Bernadette, I will pray for her and you Paddy…You sicken me.

  15. Portia says:

    Thank you Paddy and Sinead.

    The energy Sinead sends out in her voice is one of the sacred feminine- the one to bring lov, joy, peace to all.

  16. olivia says:

    Paddy,
    After reading Sineads poem, there is light in the darkness, helping us to walk the lonely walk, to talk the silent talk. Much love to you Paddy and Sinead.

    Best wishes,

    Olivia

  17. Catherine says:

    Sinead,

    Thank you.

    That is a brilliant poem from your heart and soul.

    See how the solicitors and barrister sweep in now like vultures to pick the bones of the abusers, while they line their pockets.

    Where is the solicitor and barrister who will come on board and do the work from the heart and soul without payment.

    Let them come on board- because I know you are out there.

  18. culchiewoman says:

    Ah, Hanora, you remind me of the time I was 9 when my teacher, while trying to straighten us all up for school photos, said to me, “Wipe your mouth…you look like a dirty Irish orphan.” Well, that’s mostly true except for the ‘orphan’ part. And my mouth wasn’t really dirty; it was just the dark freckles around it. Y’see, my parents were very much alive except that the mighty Irish Catholic Church felt my fates would be better if I were separated from them and sold to the U.S.

    Bang on, Sinead. Beautiful poem. Thanks for posting that, Paddy.

  19. Hanora Brennan says:

    Ah, Mister, can you spare a copper for a poor wee orphan?

  20. Emer says:

    A solicitor with barrister wants to come on board but it costs money.

    BARRY

    Sorry I have a problem with this. The solicitors and barristers have made an absolute FORTUNE from survivors. Why should we contribute any more to them. Otherwise Barry the rest of your posting I’m all for

  21. Paddy says:

    I can think of no reason as to why you cannot submit a poem to be posted on this site. Go for it! Paddy.

  22. Accountant says:

    Paddy

    I would like to send a poem in response to Sinead O’Connor’s poem. I never knew she was a poet. Can I post my poem Paddy?

  23. Anne says:

    What a beautiful poem Paddy. Sinead Oconnor is a lovely person…and how fitting is her description of the Pope!
    I wonder when he is alone and looks into his mirror what he see’s???..a Saint? or a self loathing dishonest man..a man that is supposedly the closest to God!

    Hope your well Paddy..and taking care of yourself..
    see you in March.
    Anne and family.