#they really like their arseholes in mythology don't they

[hummingbee-lievable]

Song of the Day #21:

'I, Carrion' by Hozier (released 2023).

I feel lighter than I have in so much time

I've crossed the border line of weightless

One deep breath out from the sky

I've reached a rarer height now that I can confirm

All our weight is just a burden offered to us by the world

Track #5 on 'Unreal Unearth'. (Definitely just thought the album was 'Unreal Earth' this entire time; can't decide which one I like better: I love the sort of surreal disassociation with Hozier's title and I like the alien sentiment that comes with my misinterpretation. What do you prefer?)

Fun fact: The entire album was largely inspired by 'Dante's Inferno'! Which is really freaking cool. This was largely created during Quarantine, and Hozier wanted to do a subtle nod to the pandemic without really making the music about that at all. The album itself is actually a progression of the nine circles of Hell, and you can follow that from the 'darkness of opening track "De Selby (Part 1)" to the breakthrough of closer "First Light"'*. The album has many mythological references beyond this, however. This song in particular was inspired by the legend of 'Icarus and Daedalus' (which I accidentally misspelled as 'Deadalus' at first which feels way funnier than it should be).

They are father and son, trapped in the labyrinth that Daedalus himself built (to hold the minotaur: half man, half bull). In order to escape, they build wings out of bird feathers and wax. He warns Icarus not to fly too close to the sun as his wings will melt, but once the boy starts flying, he finds himself drawn to the sun with such euphoria that he cannot stop himself from flying towards it, heedless of his father's calls. The sun melts his wings and he falls into the ocean. (Note: uhhh, don't try this at home kids.)

The song, according to Hozier, is inspired by that story and intermingled with a love story. He mentions the idea that sometimes there is joy so strong that it is worth the fall, and that plays out clearly in this song.

(Daeadalus was not exactly theeeee greatest fellow ever, fun fact. He tried to murder his sister's kid because the boy showed signs of great ingenuity (like inventing the potter's wheel! I owe him one) so he decided to do the obvious thing annddd... push him off of a high tower; Athena intervened (she is kind of a hoe for intellect- I never uttered these words) and turned the boy into a partridge in midair. To this day, partridges do not nest in high places and tend to stay on the ground unless necessary. They're also adorable, but that's unrelated.)

They're just so...flomphy!!

Personal blurb: Okay so, I'll be honest. I was in, shall we say, an altered state of mind when I first heard this song. And when the lines 'I do not have wings love, I never will' came on, I felt transported. At some point, I will write a short story about those lines, because good golly. I don't like a lot of Hozier's music, but he has grown on me, for the way he intertwines literature with lyrics. I may or may not have written an eight paged paper analysing 'Take Me To Church' for English class, so he passes muster at least a little. 😋

I love this song. I love the concept that sometimes it's worthwhile to burn your hand on the flame. And there's this- there's this space of limbo after an impulsive decision, where I'm floating in the middle of the choice and all I have to do is just be and breathe and let the wind take me. Of course, then I realise: hey, I had no money for that pot of tea (but goodness was it delicious and peaceful) also scaling that mountain is absolute garbage for your back (but my my wasn't the crisp breeze glorious) oh and don't you worry because leaving your phone behind and wandering into a forest for seven hours with a book and a bottle of water (stay hydrated kids) surely will have no negative impact and certainly not 83 missed calls and a group of villagers with pitchforks and torches coming after you (but wasn't it worth for the calm you are able to greet them from).

My friend told me 'life is for the living' and I love that. (But don't forget your water bottle. Hydrate or die-drate, birch.)

And no. Not every impulsive decision is going to be worth it, or a good idea. But sometimes we just need to cast the weight aside and... fly a little, you know?

P.S. My darling sister just reminded me that this song is very 'Good Omens' coded and-

You know what. I'm embracing it. It absolutely is. Come nerd out with me.

Hiii Smallsssss. This is not an invitation to catapult your body up the nearest cliff and then not call me. 😋

Because then I would be left with a...cliffhanger! (Might anyway, literally, if you call me, hanging from a cliff.)

Double P.S. I have been made aware of the possibility of tagging individuals that are fabulous enough to have a Tumblr, so...*drumroll please* @hozierofficial hello and thank you for your humanity.

References:

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[that-nerd-who-writes-fanfiction]

Hello....If you don't mind, can I ask, what are your top 10 (or top 7) favorite media (can be books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series)? Why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before......Thanks....

I can’t remember if I’ve done this before but it’s changed again recently. Most of these are gonna be books because I’ve had way too much time sitting around lately so I’ve had enough time to actually enjoy books without destroying my sleep schedule for it.

1. BBC Merlin is my all time favourite, I don’t feel like I need to elaborate, it’s pretty much all I post about on here.

2. Song of Achilles is still my all time favourite book and number 2 behind Merlin. I think I’m nearing 20 rereads total for it by now. It’s never boring and keeps me interested every time. Cannot recommend enough. I’d give anything to be able to read it again for the first time.

3. I’ve been reading quite a few classics recently, I had a lot of free time. I met another Greek mythology nerd so Iliad and Odyssey make my top ten again because they’ve been on my mind a lot more than I care to admit. (I know it’s technically two books but I always read them together)

4. And I finally got around to reading Iron Heart (sequel to Crier’s war) and it’s amazing. One of the best books I’ve read recently. I’m gonna leave it at that or I’ll start ranting but I can’t recommend it enough so definitely go read that if you get a chance.

5. BBC Musketeers is also really good, I started watching that recently. I’m only on episode 6 but it’s great so far. Santiago Cabrera’s hair is fucking gender. Also the show got me researching 17th century weapons and now I know a fair amount about capes so that’s fun. BBC is still shit at historical accuracy, but no surprise there.

6. The Great Gatsby because I’m that kind of nerd and I’ve been mostly rereading recently. Everyone is such an arsehole in that book but it’s so interesting to analyse and annotate. I read it in year 7 and hated it, then again in college and it wasn’t bad but 3rd times a charm I guess. I found it really interesting from an analytical perspective, but I wouldn’t read it for light reading or fun.

7. I’ve been avoiding anything new other than musketeers, just because I haven’t felt like getting to know a new set of characters and a new world. That being said, I rewatched the first season of Good Omens, Crowleys still one of my all time favourite characters and the show is great.

8. I rewatched Stars Align, always a fun one. It’s a great show and the art style is really cool.

9. Seraph of the end because I love vampire stories. The plot is really interesting, I still need to read the manga but the anime is brilliant so I want to read that soon. Also no romance (ignoring shipping) which my aroace self appreciates.

10. The Tempest because my cousin was studying it in school and asked for help so I reread it for her and got a little bit hyper-fixated for a few days, now it’s still just sort of in the back of my mind and I’m a Shakespeare nerd so might as well add it.

Thanks for the ask!

[none-ofthisnonsense]

Merlin S4E2, "The Darkest Hour: Part Two"

Leon is logical and I both hate and love him for it.

I'm totally not crying at Percival carrying Merlin followed by the knights.

I am LIVING for the Gwaine/Leon interactions.

Lancelot takes good care of Merlin.

Ohh Merlin can interact with the water spirits? That's really cool. Lancelot is special.

I like these Vilia. Based on the music they're nice.

We seem to be getting more Celtic mythological figures this sseason.

THEIR FACES

Gwen you're great but also your plea is going to fall deaf on Agravaine's ears.

GEOFFREY!!! I KNEW I COULD COUNT ON YOU!

I am loving Merlin this episode.

Gwen you go girl stand your ground. But also don't trust Agravaine. OH THE FILTHY BASTARD TELL A FRIEND AND TELL THEM WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND WHO WITH.

Gaius is wary. GOOD.

Taxidermy museum?

Morgana in Camelot??

Wordless spells - she's way more powerful than she seems

Slimy arsehole don't you dare touch her

Of all people, Elyan is the one you can tell.

Oh piss off Lancelot the only thing Arthur has better than you is social standing

Merlin why the fuck are you summoning Kilgharrah

Lancelot is thinking. I'm thinking that he's considering sacrificing himself instead.

Aww Kilgharrah… He and Merlin have the best complex relationship. I need more of them interacting just for the sake of it.

Knight talk is the funniest.

Arthur and Merlin conversations cannot be surpassed by anything.

I forgot Merlin was a dragonlord! (Despite him summoning Kilgharrah ten minutes ago.)

I've never seen Merlin look so pale.

LANCELOT YOU DON'T GET TO DIE

Fuck I'm crying. I don't believe Lancelot is dead he can't be. It's not possible. IL A PAS LE DROIT DE MOURIR J'Y CROIS PAS IL EST PAS MORT J'Y CROIS PAS IL PEUT PAS MOURIR