Hozier’s latest single, Hymn to Virgil, is a breathtakingly atmospheric piece that delves deep into themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the human condition.
Released on December 6, 2024, as part of the expanded Unreal Unearth: Unending album, the song draws its narrative from Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy while maintaining an emotive universality that is quintessentially Hozier.
The Story Behind Hozier’s Hymn to Virgil
Inspired by the poignant relationship between Dante and his guide Virgil in Dante’s Inferno, Hymn to Virgil reimagines the end of their journey.
In the original text, Virgil is barred from entering Heaven due to his pagan roots, leaving Dante to continue alone.
Hozier’s take, however, sees Dante refusing to abandon his companion, choosing solidarity over salvation.
The song’s narrative becomes a powerful metaphor for loyalty—a declaration that some bonds transcend personal gain.
Hozier has stated in interviews that the track was born out of his fascination with Dante’s moral dilemmas.
“How would you leave behind someone who’s carried you through the depths of despair?” he pondered during a 2023 discussion.
This question forms the emotional core of the song, making it relatable even for those unfamiliar with Dante’s epic.
Hymn to Virgil Lyrics: What Do They Mean?
@hozierofficial Australia, it was such a pleasure to be back last week. Thank you for that incredible reception. Here’s a snippet from the as of yet unreleased “Hymn to Virgil”, which will feature on the upcoming “Unending” album package. I hope you enjoy it! So much love @Ruthless Imagery ♬ original sound – Hozier
The lyrics of Hymn to Virgil explore unwavering devotion.
Lines like “If I held in my hands everything gold could buy / I’d still not have a thing worth giving you” encapsulate the protagonist’s willingness to forsake all for his companion.
The imagery intensifies with “I would burn the world to bring some heat to you,” highlighting a love so profound it defies logic and consequence.
Hozier’s lyricism blurs the lines between personal sacrifice and existential commitment.
The haunting refrain, “You are the reason I went through it / The only meaning as I knew it,” suggests that Virgil’s presence gave purpose to Dante’s grueling journey.
It’s a sentiment that resonates with listeners navigating their own relationships and moral conflicts.
The Sound: Atmospheric and Experimental
Musically, Hymn to Virgil pushes boundaries. Produced by Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman, Bēkon, and Hozier himself, the track combines distorted vocals, ethereal harmonies, and minimalist instrumentation to create an otherworldly soundscape.
The production mirrors the tension between Hell and Heaven, with deep, growling verses juxtaposed against soaring, gospel-tinged choruses.
Fans have noted the cinematic quality of the song, likening it to a film score.
While some have critiqued the distortion for obscuring Hozier’s raw vocals, others praise its theatricality, calling it a bold departure from his folk-blues roots.
Either way, the track’s sonic ambition underscores its thematic depth.
Who Wrote and Produced Hymn to Virgil?
The song credits a collaborative team: Hozier, Jeff Gitelman, Sergiu Gherman, Peter Gonzales, Chakra, and Bēkon.
This ensemble of talent has infused the track with layered textures and nuanced storytelling.
The production’s complexity reflects Hozier’s meticulous approach, a hallmark of his work throughout the Unreal Unearth era.
How Hymn to Virgil Fits Into Unreal Unearth: Unending
As the final track on Unreal Unearth: Unending, Hymn to Virgil serves as both a conclusion and a thesis statement.
The album’s expanded edition, which includes tracks from the Unaired and Unheard EPs, explores themes of love, loss, and existential reckoning.
This song encapsulates these motifs, tying them together with its exploration of moral complexity and devotion.
Hozier’s decision to release the track—despite initial hesitations—feels like a gift to his audience.
In his own words, “I didn’t think it was worth releasing at first. But sometimes, a song finds its way to the surface, demanding to be heard.”
The Enduring Appeal of Hymn to Virgil
With its poetic depth and daring production, Hymn to Virgil feels like a journey into the soul of companionship and sacrifice.
It’s the kind of track that lingers, not just because of its haunting sound but because of the questions it leaves behind.
What do we owe to those who guide us, and where do we draw the line between gratitude and loyalty?
Hozier doesn’t offer answers; instead, he invites listeners to sit with the discomfort, the beauty, and the contradictions.
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Hozier Hymn to Virgil Lyrics
Verse 1
If I held in my hands everything gold could buy
I’d still not have a thing worth giving you
You tell me the sun is shining in paradise
And I have to watch your lips turn blue
Pre-Chorus
I would burn the world to bring some heat to you
I would burn the world to bring some heat to you
I would burn the world to bring some heat
Chorus
You are the reason I went through it, oh
The only meaning as I knew it, my-yeah
And I can only do my best, I do not do this for myself
I’d walk through hell on living feet for you
Verse 2
I wouldn’t be seen walking through any door
Some place that you’re not welcome to
You stare at the faces smiling from somewhere warm
From somе place the sunlight won’t come through
Pre-Chorus
I would burn thе world to bring some heat to you
I would burn the world to bring some heat to you
I would burn the world to bring some heat
Chorus
You are the reason I went through it, oh
The only meaning as I knew it, my-yeah
And I can only do my best, I do not do this for myself
I’d walk through hell on living feet for you
Outro
I would burn the world to bring some heat to you
I would burn the world to bring some heat to you
I would burn the world to bring some heat
