Released: 2014
Hozier’s ‘Work Song’ is a passionate ballad that delves into the themes of love, redemption, and the power of a significant other. The song’s protagonist is a man who, despite his flaws and mistakes, finds solace and purpose in the love he shares with his partner.
The opening lines set the stage for a man who’s working tirelessly, perhaps metaphorically, to survive in a harsh world. The ‘burning heat’ could symbolize the struggles and hardships he’s facing. Yet, his thoughts of his ‘baby’ fill him with such love that he doesn’t need anything else, not even food.
He then describes his lover as being so sweet that she gives him ‘toothaches’, a playful way of expressing the intensity of his feelings. The cherry tree reference could be a nod to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, suggesting that he doesn’t need to succumb to temptation because his love is all he needs.
The chorus, repeated throughout the song, is a powerful declaration of his love. Even in death, he believes no grave can hold him down, and he’ll ‘crawl home’ to his lover. This is a testament to the depth of his love, so strong that it transcends the physical realm.
In the second verse, the protagonist reveals he was ‘three days on a drunken sin’ when his lover found him. This could mean he was lost in a cycle of self-destruction, but her love saved him. The ’empty crib’ might symbolize a lost child or a void in their lives, adding a layer of sorrow to their story.
The song continues to explore the protagonist’s struggle with his past mistakes. Despite his wrongdoings, his lover never judges him. This unconditional love is what keeps him going, even if ‘the Lord don’t forgive’ him.
The final verse depicts a moment of intimacy between the two lovers. In the ‘low lamp light’, free from judgment, heaven and hell are just ‘words’ to him. This could mean that in her presence, he feels a sense of peace that makes worldly troubles seem insignificant.
Overall, ‘Work Song’ is a raw and heartfelt expression of love’s transformative power. It’s about finding redemption and purpose in the love of another, even when the world seems against you.
