One of the main beauties of this song is that it can be interpreted so widely.
In the track by track interview, Hozier said that this song was based on/had the same meaning as "he hit me and it felt like a kiss" by carol king. That song discusses how after her partner discovered she'd been cheating he hit her, but this act of violence instead of repelling her, was taken as a sign of his deep and passionate love in an otherwise mundane and fizzling relationship and actually brought them closer. She's saying that the drastic reaction proved the depths of his love.
So hozier making the comparison to this song, I personally believe means that he's trying to say that he actually enjoys it when she causes him pain { "open hand or closed fist would be fine"} Because it'sthe way that she shows that she's passionate about him and loves him {way she shows I'm hers and she's mine}
I think this is also shown when he says {blood is rare and sweet as cherry wine} when she draws blood, it's not painful for him, it's a sweet relief and symbolises her love.
I can't quite decide whether I think the pain she causes and the blood she draws is physical or a allegory for emotional pain, but either way it's a breathtaking song.
One of the main beauties of this song is that it can be interpreted so widely.
In the track by track interview, Hozier said that this song was based on/had the same meaning as "he hit me and it felt like a kiss" by carol king. That song discusses how after her partner discovered she'd been cheating he hit her, but this act of violence instead of repelling her, was taken as a sign of his deep and passionate love in an otherwise mundane and fizzling relationship and actually brought them closer. She's saying that the drastic reaction proved the depths of his love.
So hozier making the comparison to this song, I personally believe means that he's trying to say that he actually enjoys it when she causes him pain { "open hand or closed fist would be fine"} Because it'sthe way that she shows that she's passionate about him and loves him {way she shows I'm hers and she's mine}
I think this is also shown when he says {blood is rare and sweet as cherry wine} when she draws blood, it's not painful for him, it's a sweet relief and symbolises her love.
I can't quite decide whether I think the pain she causes and the blood she draws is physical or a allegory for emotional pain, but either way it's a breathtaking song.