The Cranberries’ Zombie: A Lyrical Deep Dive into History and Protest

6th December, 2023

Zombie by The Cranberries is a powerful song that expresses the anguish and anger of the Irish singer-songwriter Dolores O’Riordan over the violence and bloodshed of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. The song, released in 1994, was inspired by a tragic event that took place in 1993: the deaths of two young boys, Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball, in an IRA bombing in Warrington, England. In this article, we will explore the history and meaning behind the lyrics of Zombie and how they reflect O’Riordan’s personal and political views on the conflict.

The Troubles: A Historical Background

The Troubles was a period of ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland that lasted from the late 1960s to the late 1990s. The main parties involved were the nationalists, who were mostly Catholic and wanted to reunite with the Republic of Ireland, and the unionists, who were mostly Protestant and wanted to remain part of the United Kingdom.

The conflict also involved paramilitary groups, such as the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), who carried out bombings, shootings, and assassinations. The British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) were also involved in the violence, often clashing with the civilians and the paramilitaries. The Troubles claimed over 3,500 lives and injured tens of thousands more.

The Warrington Bombings: The Catalyst for Zombie

On March 20, 1993, two bombs planted by the IRA exploded in the town of Warrington, England, killing two children, Tim Parry, 12, and Johnathan Ball, 3, and injuring 56 others. The bombs were hidden in litter bins and detonated shortly after a telephoned warning that did not specify the location. The attack sparked widespread condemnation and outrage, both in Britain and Ireland. O’Riordan, who was on tour in England at the time, was deeply moved by the news and wrote the lyrics to Zombie as a response.

The Lyrics of Zombie: A Protest Against Violence

Zombie is a song that denounces the senselessness and futility of violence, especially when it affects innocent lives. The lyrics are divided into three verses and a chorus, each conveying a different aspect of O’Riordan’s message.

Verse 1: The Loss of Innocence

The first verse of Zombie describes the scene of the bombing and the impact it had on the victims and their families. O’Riordan uses imagery and contrast to convey the horror and sorrow of the event.

Another head hangs; lowly child is slowly taken And the violence caused such silence who are we mistaken?

The phrase “another head hangs lowly” suggests both the death of the child and the grief of the parents. The word “slowly” implies the pain and suffering of the child, as well as the helplessness of the witnesses. The contrast between “violence” and “silence” highlights the shock and disbelief of the aftermath. The rhetorical question “who are we mistaken?” challenges the perpetrators and the supporters of the violence, implying that they are misguided and wrong.

Chorus: The Dehumanisation of Violence

The chorus of Zombie repeats the word “zombie” four times, followed by the line “in your head, in your head, they are fighting”. The word “zombie” is a metaphor for the people who are involved in or affected by the violence, suggesting that they have lost their humanity and their individuality. They are reduced to mindless and soulless creatures, driven by hatred and fear. The phrase “in your head” implies that the violence is irrational and unnecessary and that it can be stopped by changing one’s mindset and attitude.

Verse 2: The History of Conflict

The second verse of Zombie refers to the historical and political context of the conflict, dating back to the Easter Rising of 1916, when Irish republicans launched an armed rebellion against British rule. O’Riordan sings:

It’s the same old theme; since nineteen sixteen In your head, in your head, they’re still fighting; With their tanks and their bombs; And their bombs, and their guns In your head, in your head, they are dying

The phrase “it’s the same old theme” suggests that the conflict is repetitive and unchanging and that nothing has been learned from the past. The repetition of “in your head” reinforces the idea that the violence is based on outdated and irrational beliefs and that it can be resolved through dialogue and compromise. The enumeration of “tanks, and their bombs, and their bombs, and their guns” emphasises the brutality and the destruction of the war, while the contrast between “fighting” and “dying” shows the futility and the waste of human lives.

Verse 3: The Call for Peace

The third verse of Zombie is a call for peace and an expression of hope for the future. O’Riordan sings:

Another mother’s breaking Heart is taking over When the violence causes silence We must be mistaken

The phrase “another mother’s breaking” echoes the first verse, but this time it refers to the mother of the bomber rather than the mother of the victim. This shows that the violence affects both sides of the conflict and that no one is immune to the pain and the loss. The word “breaking” also suggests that the cycle of violence can be broken and that a new way of living can be possible. The phrase “heart is taking over” implies that compassion and empathy can overcome hatred and fear and that love can heal the wounds of the past. The repetition of “when the violence causes silence, we must be mistaken” reinforces the main message of the song; that violence is not the answer and that peace is the only way forward.

The Musical Evolution of Zombie

Zombie was originally written as an acoustic ballad, but it evolved into a hard rock anthem, reflecting the intensity and emotion of the lyrics. The song features O’Riordan’s distinctive vocal style, ranging from a soft whisper to a powerful yell, as well as her Irish accent and pronunciation. The song also incorporates elements of Irish folk music, such as the use of a mandolin and a tin whistle.

The Enduring Relevance of Zombie

Zombie by The Cranberries is a timeless song that transcends its specific historical and geographical context and resonates with universal themes of peace, justice, and human dignity. The song has been covered by many artists, such as Bad Wolves in in 2018, Miley Cyrus in 2020 during the #SaveOurStages Fest, and The Pretty Reckless, and has been used as a soundtrack for various movies, TV shows, and video games. The song has also been adopted as a protest song by various movements and causes, such as the Hong Kong protests in 2019, and the Iranian uprising. The song remains a powerful and poignant reminder of the cost of war and the value of life.

The Cranberries Zombie Lyrics

Verse 1
Another head hangs lowly
Child is slowly taken
And the violence caused such silence
Who are we mistaken?

Pre-Chorus
But you see, it’s not me, it’s not my family
In your head, in your head, they are fightin’
With their tanks and their bombs and their bombs and their guns
In your head, in your head, they are cryin’

Chorus
In your head, in your head
Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie
What’s in your head, in your head?
Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie-ie, oh

Post-Chorus
Du, du, du, du
Du, du, du, du
Du, du, du, du
Du, du, du, du

Verse 2
Another mother’s breakin’
Heart is takin’ over
When the violence causes silence
We must be mistaken

Pre-Chorus
It’s the same old theme, since 1916
In your head, in your head, they’re still fightin’
With their tanks and their bombs and their bombs and their guns
In your head, in your head, they are dyin’

Chorus
In your head, in your head
Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie
What’s in your head, in your head?
Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie-ie, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, eh-eh-oh, ra-ra

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