Take Me to Church//Hozier

Recently I have become  huge fan of the song 'Take Me to Church' by Hozier, an Irish singer-songwritter. It's a great song and I would recommend anyone to listen to it. Just as I sat down to dinner to think about what I should post about this week I heard this song come on. As I blindly listen to the lyrics and repeat them, I begin to wonder what they really mean. Curious, I googled the music video and lyrics to come to a better understanding.

I started by just watching the video. If you watch the video yourself you will see that it is all about two men who have a secret in a homophobic society, ending in a hate crime. And of course this message was obvious. But to me what is not so obvious is the message the lyrics send. If I were you, before reading the rest of this blog post, I would watch the music video and listen to the lyrics closely before you come to assumptions and judgements.

I believe that Hozier uses Church and a feminine pronoun to represent anything that the church he grows up around frowns upon. Clearly the music video links the song to homosexuality but it isn't just that. Personally I am not very familiar with any church atmospheres, but I think that he mainly references the Catholicism or Christianity, because there are a lot of ideas they frown upon in society. For example, drugs, sex before marriage, and homosexuality being some of the most popular. I AM NOT MAKING ANY ACCUSATIONS. I know perfectly well that people have their own ideas and can be part of a group or religion and go against what is expected of the church. I understand religion does not define a person.

In the lyrics of the song, Hozier "She's the giggle at a funeral/Knows everybody's disapproval/I should've worshiped her sooner" He is saying that drugs or homosexuality is the giggle, and it is frowned upon and could make every judge you. He also says, that it must be embraced when you are

comfortable. I don't think he is really referring to drugs in this situation, but more likely adultery and being gay. The second lyric I'll share is "I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies/I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife/Offer me that deathless death/Good God, let me give you my life" He is kind of being sarcastic. Now that he, or who ever is the subject of the song, is accepting sin the religion becomes the sin. But if you are going to accept sin, why have someone judge you when you can keep it to yourself. There's no need for him to anger someone who he knows is homophobic.

I could go on about all of the lyrics in this song and translate it but some of it is better left unsaid and for you to figure out. I really hope you take a listen to the song, not only is the message powerful and thrilling, but it is a great song.

Thanks.

P.S. If you are interested about what the writer of the song has to say about the song himself click here for the interview he did.