So, some of the lyrics as of today are a bit off, but I think in order to understand the song, you need to understand what a shrike is. A shrike is a species of songbird that looks and sings innocently enough but is known for hunting and killing its prey (small lizards, rodents, and insects) by skewering it on thorns and other spiky objects, like barbed wire. Having said that, Hozier is singing about a lost relationship that fills him with regret. He realizes that for whatever reasons he or they had in ending the relationship, there was something visceral and deep about their bond, and he hopes that his partner can envision him being reborn in his next life as a shrike, who is beholden to the sharp, eerie, and dark thorn (the partner) it uses to literally feed itself, and in a way figuratively soothe his regret.
@moony337 could it be there is an element of sado-masochistic instruction and emerging sexual awareness? I feel like there is a gap in the part of the metaphor about how his future (reborn) self is to be reimagined. When he imagines that self as a shrike, it seems like a partial role reversal, as the lover seems to have previously had the role of the shrike in their former relationship, and preyed upon him.
@moony337 could it be there is an element of sado-masochistic instruction and emerging sexual awareness? I feel like there is a gap in the part of the metaphor about how his future (reborn) self is to be reimagined. When he imagines that self as a shrike, it seems like a partial role reversal, as the lover seems to have previously had the role of the shrike in their former relationship, and preyed upon him.
But the future scenario edges towards role-reversal, but lacks a vengeance in which the lover is crucified upon a thorn, preyed upon by the shrike. Instead,...
But the future scenario edges towards role-reversal, but lacks a vengeance in which the lover is crucified upon a thorn, preyed upon by the shrike. Instead, he seems to pay homage to the lover as a fundamental element (thorn) that will underpin his feast (upon his next lover):
Had no idea on what ground I was founded
All of that goodness is gone with you now
Then when I met you my virtues uncounted
All of my goodness is gone with you now
I think maybe the lover was his teacher in a sado-masochistic dynamic, to whom he is paying homage, as now he understands the unconscious sexual drivers that had boundaried their relationsip, (compared to how in the beginning he was repressed, and could not utter his love when it counted).
The lover brought him to self-awareness, and as such will be present in his future relationships, fundamentally underpinning them as the thorn upon which is prey will be mounted.
In a way, I wonder if Hozier's metaphors have recurring themes of submission & domination, and this is another example of a relationship that cannot play out in enduring harmony, but must climax in a painful game of winners and losers, most likely manifest in psychological sado-masochistic dynamic.
The song is so beautiful, I don't mean to sully it with crass terms, but he seems to have a gift for writing in lyrics that are suggestive on multiple layers. Like Shakespeare, he seems to write to multiple levels of interpretation, depending on where the listening audience is situated psychologically/intellectually. Take Me to Church is an example of this characteristic.
So, some of the lyrics as of today are a bit off, but I think in order to understand the song, you need to understand what a shrike is. A shrike is a species of songbird that looks and sings innocently enough but is known for hunting and killing its prey (small lizards, rodents, and insects) by skewering it on thorns and other spiky objects, like barbed wire. Having said that, Hozier is singing about a lost relationship that fills him with regret. He realizes that for whatever reasons he or they had in ending the relationship, there was something visceral and deep about their bond, and he hopes that his partner can envision him being reborn in his next life as a shrike, who is beholden to the sharp, eerie, and dark thorn (the partner) it uses to literally feed itself, and in a way figuratively soothe his regret.
@moony337 yes. This is exactly it. Very powerful, beautiful song writing. Thanks for your thoughts.
@moony337 yes. This is exactly it. Very powerful, beautiful song writing. Thanks for your thoughts.
@moony337 could it be there is an element of sado-masochistic instruction and emerging sexual awareness? I feel like there is a gap in the part of the metaphor about how his future (reborn) self is to be reimagined. When he imagines that self as a shrike, it seems like a partial role reversal, as the lover seems to have previously had the role of the shrike in their former relationship, and preyed upon him.
@moony337 could it be there is an element of sado-masochistic instruction and emerging sexual awareness? I feel like there is a gap in the part of the metaphor about how his future (reborn) self is to be reimagined. When he imagines that self as a shrike, it seems like a partial role reversal, as the lover seems to have previously had the role of the shrike in their former relationship, and preyed upon him.
But the future scenario edges towards role-reversal, but lacks a vengeance in which the lover is crucified upon a thorn, preyed upon by the shrike. Instead,...
But the future scenario edges towards role-reversal, but lacks a vengeance in which the lover is crucified upon a thorn, preyed upon by the shrike. Instead, he seems to pay homage to the lover as a fundamental element (thorn) that will underpin his feast (upon his next lover):
Had no idea on what ground I was founded All of that goodness is gone with you now Then when I met you my virtues uncounted All of my goodness is gone with you now
I think maybe the lover was his teacher in a sado-masochistic dynamic, to whom he is paying homage, as now he understands the unconscious sexual drivers that had boundaried their relationsip, (compared to how in the beginning he was repressed, and could not utter his love when it counted).
The lover brought him to self-awareness, and as such will be present in his future relationships, fundamentally underpinning them as the thorn upon which is prey will be mounted.
In a way, I wonder if Hozier's metaphors have recurring themes of submission & domination, and this is another example of a relationship that cannot play out in enduring harmony, but must climax in a painful game of winners and losers, most likely manifest in psychological sado-masochistic dynamic.
The song is so beautiful, I don't mean to sully it with crass terms, but he seems to have a gift for writing in lyrics that are suggestive on multiple layers. Like Shakespeare, he seems to write to multiple levels of interpretation, depending on where the listening audience is situated psychologically/intellectually. Take Me to Church is an example of this characteristic.