I, Carrion (Icarian)

Hozier's 'I, Carrion (Icarian)' is a poetic exploration of love, vulnerability, and the human condition, drawing heavily on the myth of Icarus. The song's title itself is a play on words, combining 'Icarian'—relating to Icarus, who flew too close to the sun—and 'carrion,' which refers to decaying flesh, symbolizing the inevitable fall and decay that follows hubris and ambition. This duality sets the stage for a deeply introspective narrative.

The lyrics open with a sense of surrender to fate, as the narrator contemplates the possibility of falling ('If the wind turns, if I hit a squall'). This acceptance of vulnerability is juxtaposed with moments of weightlessness and transcendence ('I've crossed the border line of weightless'). The narrator feels lighter, liberated from the burdens imposed by the world, suggesting that love has elevated him to a rarefied state. However, this elevation comes with the risk of a fall, much like Icarus, who soared too high and fell to his doom.

Throughout the song, Hozier uses the metaphor of flight to describe the transformative power of love. The narrator feels 'lifted by every word' from his beloved, floating 'like a feather on the sea.' Yet, this lightness is contrasted with the heaviness of the world that his partner carries. The imagery of the ground being held up by love ('I can see that all along, love, it was you all the way down') underscores the idea that love is both a burden and a buoy. The plea 'don't fall away from me' encapsulates the fear of losing this grounding force.

In the final verses, the narrator acknowledges his lack of wings, accepting that he will never be able to soar indefinitely. The reference to being 'your own Icarian, carrion' highlights the dual nature of his journey—both the exhilarating heights and the inevitable fall. The song closes with a poignant prayer that if he should fall, his beloved will not fall away from him, emphasizing the enduring need for connection and support even in moments of failure and vulnerability.