Hozier - Swan Upon Leda (Official Audio)

Hozier – Swan Upon Leda – listen now: Egyptian journalist and author Mona Eltahawy once referred to the global systems that control and endanger women as the world’s “oldest form of occupation.“ Ever since hearing her speak in Dublin, I wanted to explore that thought in a piece. I wrote Swan Upon Leda in Ireland a year ago and recorded it recently with producer Jenn Decilveo. We were tracking it in studio when the news came through of Roe v. Wade being overturned. I felt there was an opportunity to offer some show of solidarity. We’re reminded again by the protests in Iran that progressivism is a global movement. the recent pushbacks against civil liberties and human rights respect no boundaries or borders, and like all acts of control, violence and indeed all forms of occupation, their legacies can be immeasurable in both the personal and political spheres. Of all the songs coming from my 3rd album “Unreal Unearth“, I wanted to offer this song at this time. I’ll be making a donation to Mayday, AidAccess, Plan C and Amnesty International, organizations working toward ensuring women and pregnant people can gain safe access to reproductive healthcare and civil rights. Click the links below to read about their work and contribute to their funds should you be in a position to do so. Mayday: Aid Access: Plan C: Amnesty International: Watch more videos by Hozier: Subscribe to the official Hozier YouTube channel: Follow Hozier Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Website: Spotify: YouTube: Lyrics: A husband waits outside A crying child pushes a child into the night She was told he would come this time Without leaving so much as a feather behind To enact at last the perfect plan One more sweet boy to be butchered by men But gateway to the world Was still outside the reach of him Would never belong to angels Had never belonged to men The swan upon Leda Empire upon Jerusalem A grandmother smuggling meds Past where the god child-soldier Setanta stood dead Our graceful turner of heads Weaves through the checkpoints like a needle and thread Someone’s frightened boy waves her on She offers a mother’s smile and soon she’s gone The gateway to the world, The gun in a trembling hand, Where nature unmakes the boundary The pillar of myth still stands, The swan upon Leda Occupier upon ancient land But gateway to the world Was still outside the reach of him Would never belong to angels Had never belonged to men