r/Hozier • u/the_scy_fi_verse • 9d ago
Song Discussion I, Carrion possible idea interpretation???
Was listening to I, Carrion again today and heard the things I've seen people talking about with icarus and the word Carrion (which might i add bird connotation in the song then brings in the idea of scavenger birds like Carrion feeders) but I realized something else also. Not sure if someone has said it yet but the way that Hozier sings "I, Carrion icarian" also sounds like "i carry on" as if even though fallen he has strength to still continue on or some other meaningful message through the song.
Another interpretation is the play of Carrion (decaying fleshed a dead animal/ death) so that it's literally I, Carrion Icarian, "I, dead and decaying icarus." Or even with my thoughts of wordplay, "I, dead and decaying, I carry on (Icarus)." Icarus was foolish but determined, so of course he would be known for despite the danger, carrying on into flying higher and higher to the sun.
Anyway, just my two cents.
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u/United-Education-214 7d ago
one of my favourites to play on the guitar. This is the one he said was " written as a gift for somebody" in a really good interview in 2023
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u/boxinsider14467 6d ago
Yeah, I think it's the same sentiment as useful as dirt, put my body to work
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u/arcadia_0189 6d ago
Oh I absolutely love how the interpretations are completely upto the listener. For me it has always been my rotting body will carry on cause I consider myself to have high endurance
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u/rice-a-rohno 8d ago
There's the line in the bridge "Soaring over a world you are carrying," which in an Irish accent sounds like the name of the song. So that's a kind of more intentional version of what you're talking about.
And having nothing to do with that, but since we're talking about the song, I want to say I love the way he manages to portray the arrogance of Icarus in the most subtle way possible.
Like there are no words that are individually arrogant, but the tone of the entire thing kind of uses the language of taking things for granted, of being blissfully unaware.
Wonderful piece of poetry. It's subtlety at its best.