As a musician with an indisputable knack for storytelling, Hozier is no stranger to poetry. His lyrics are critically acclaimed and known widely for their profound emulations of both literary and mythological themes, as he takes classic folk tales and mythology, working them beautifully into each song, allowing them to resonate deeply within modern ears. As he explores tales of the past through song, Hozier has managed to solidify himself as the music industry’s notorious, “modern-day-bard.”

In his most recent single release, “Swan Upon Leda,” Hozier’s mythological influences are at full power once again, as the lyrics and title of the song both draw great inspiration from the ancient Greek myth, “Leda and the Swan.” The myth, itself, is quite disturbing in nature, detailing an ancient story of sexual assault. It is told that Zeus, king of the gods, became entranced by Leda, the “Queen of Sparta’s” beauty. He then transforms himself into a swan to seduce, trick, and force himself upon Leda.

This song was released as the fight for a woman’s right to bodily autonomy and still rages on around the globe. Themes explored within Leda’s story can be seen in the aftershocks of a post Roe v. Wade America, as well as in Iran, where protests swell as Iranian women continue to protest in pursuit of regaining their social dignity and bodily autonomy within their country.

The subject of women’s autonomy has been flippantly disregarded and tossed around as a political ploy for centuries, and the themes at play in this original myth still greatly resonate today as the fight for women’s civil liberties continues to echo in modern times. “Swan Upon Leda” reminds us that the stories and tales of old are not lost to time, and still display heavy implications toward today’s social climate.

The final chorus of “Swan Upon Leda” concludes with a phrase that truly drives home the genius poetry and meaning within this song:

The gateway to the world
was still outside the reach of him
Would never belong to angels
Had never belonged to man

The “gateway to the world” refers to Leda and women as a collective, since those who give birth are quite literally gateways for life to enter our world. “Him” can be interpreted as Zeus within the confines of the myth being relayed, or more broadly as a symbol of the modern patriarchy. The final two lines drive home the song’s powerful support for those who fight political injustice imposed on their own bodies, in any sense. Neither religion nor men may lay claim or have true authority over another individual’s body. Through works such as these, Hozier affirms that our bodies are ours, and should remain ours alone.

The role of a bard, in medieval times, was to compose musical verse as a mode of impassioned storytelling to keep stories and tales from the past alive– sharing them through word of mouth. Hozier does just this in his music; not just in the aforementioned “Swan Upon Leda,” but in various other works within his discography as well. Songs such as “From Eden,” “Work Song,” and perhaps most notably, “Take Me To Church,” each has profound roots and ties to literary, religious, or mythological predecessors, and each carries heavy themes of protest, tying themselves irrevocably to our own modern political climate.

Hozier keeps works of the past alive by allowing his words to be inspired by genres and messages of old, allowing us to see reflections of ourselves within the past. His prolific grasp of both language and lyricism is one that I greatly envy, and his ability to create music that speaks to such deep levels of humanity is treasured by so many.

“Swan Upon Leda” does the impossible, in that it takes what many would refer to as a “forgotten myth,” and uses it to create a folk anthem that speaks to the cycle of hate and violence humanity constantly finds itself in– turning Leda’s story into a song of protest that fits the narrative of anyone who wishes to free themselves from unjust oppression. Hozier’s lyrics, I believe, will age beautifully. The themes and motifs he covers are truly timeless, allowing for his words to become modern myths themselves.

Hozier is the Poet I Wish I Was