The Meaning Behind The Song: Would That I by Hozier

The Meaning Behind The Song: “Would That I” by Hozier

As a fan of Hozier, I have always been captivated by the depth and emotion he brings to his music. One song that particularly stands out to me is “Would That I” from his album “Wasteland, Baby!” released in 2019. This song delves into the complexities of love and the bittersweet nature of its destruction.

Table of Contents

The Lyrics:

“True that I saw her hair like the branch of a tree
A willow dancing on air before covering me
Under cotton and calicoes
Over canopy dapple long ago”

In these opening lines, Hozier paints a vivid image of a past love. He describes her hair as resembling the branches of a tree, and the feeling of being protected and covered by her presence. This imagery sets the tone for the rest of the song.

“True that love in withdrawal was the weepin’ of me
That the sound of the saw must be known by the tree
Must be felled for to fight the cold
I fretted fire, but that was long ago”

Hozier acknowledges the pain and longing that come with the end of a relationship. He compares the process of letting go of love to the felling of a tree, necessary to gather firewood and survive the cold. The fire, symbolizing both passion and destruction, has now become a distant memory.

“And it’s not tonight (Oh, oh)
Where I’m set alight (Oh, oh)
And I blink in sight (Oh)
Of your blinding light (Oh)
Oh, and it’s not tonight (Oh, oh)
Where you hold me tight (Oh, oh)
Light a fire bright (Oh)
Oh, let it blaze alright (Oh)
Oh, but you’re good to me, oh, you’re good to me (Oh, oh)
Oh, but you’re good to me, baby (Oh, oh)”

The chorus reflects the longing for a love that once burned brightly. Hozier’s ethereal vocals convey a sense of yearning and admiration for a past lover who provided warmth and comfort. Despite the loss, there is an appreciation for the goodness that was experienced.

“With the roar of the fire, my heart rose to its feet
Like the ashes of ash I saw rise in the heat
Settle soft and as pure as snow
I fell in love with the fire long ago”

In these lines, Hozier uses powerful imagery to describe the intense nature of love. The fire represents passion and intensity, prompting his heart to rise and be consumed by the flames. Despite the destruction, there is a beauty in the purity and transformative qualities of the fire.

“With each love I cut loose, I was never the same
Watching still-living roots be consumed by the flame
I was fixed on your hand of gold
Layin’ waste to my lovin’ long ago”

Hozier reflects on the impact of past romances, how they changed him and ultimately led to their demise. He likens these experiences to seeing the roots of a tree being consumed by fire. The imagery of a “hand of gold” hints at the allure and power of his past love, which ultimately destroyed their relationship.

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