Hozier - Abstract (Psychopomp) (Lyric Video)

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Lyrics:

Hozier - Abstract (Psychopomp)

Sometimes it returns, like rain that you slept through
That washed off the world, the streets looking brand new
I will not be great, but I'm grateful to get through
The feeling came late, I'm still glad I met you

The memory hurts but does me no harm
Your hand in my pocket, to keep us both warm
The poor thing in the road, its eye still glistening
The cold wet of your nose, the earth from a distance

See how it shines
See how it shines
See how it shines
See how it shines

Oh-oh-ooh
Oh-oh-ooh
Oh-oh-ooh
Oh-oh-ooh

Sometimes there's a thought like you choose what you're doing
But it comes to naught when I look back through it
I remember the view, streetlights in the dark blue
The moment I knew I'd no choice but to love you

The speed that you moved, the screech of the cars
The creature still moving, that slowed in your arms
The fear in its eyes, gone out in an instant
Your tear caught the light, the earth from a distance

See how it shines
See how it shines
See how it shines
See how it shines

Oh-oh-ooh
Oh-oh-ooh
Oh-oh-ooh
Oh-oh-ooh

Darling, there's a part of me
I'm afraid will always be
Trapped within an abstract from a moment of my life
The weeds up through the concrete

The traffic picking up speed
All my love and terror balanced there between those eyes

See how it shines
See how it shines

[shasommer]

“The memory hurts but does me no harm” one of my favorite lyrics of all time.

[KirbyinSwamp]

I'm writing a paper on this song, sort of a summary response essay, and I'm having a hard time fully understanding the entire song, I understand he is talking and reflecting on a memory of someone running into traffic to pick up and move an animal that had been hit by a car and staying with it in its final moments. But he also talks about someone specific, someone who he cared about but is now a stranger. I'm trying to really pinpoint the meaning of the song, reminiscing or reflecting on two experiences in his life that have a way of connecting and possibly correlating in some aspects. I think that's why he specifically titles the song Abstract (Psychopomp). In each of these instances, there is a "psychopomp", the dying animal is picked up and moved by this stranger (psychopomp in this) who stays with it until it dies as a sort of guide to the next phase of life. The other experience or memory (what I think Hozier talks about) is him looking back on a time when a specific person came into his life. This person who he only came to realize the full extent of their importance to him after the fact when reflecting back on it. "Your hand in my pocket, to keep us both warm" This lyric leads me to assume that this person was at one point a significant other or "love interest". In this possible relationship could the "psychopomp" be the lover who maybe led him from "an abstract from a moment..." of his life to another? please help!!

[yelahjoanne]

i just want to say, i found this song right before my kitty passed away, it was the only song i listened to on the way to the vet not knowing it was our last ride together, its just so ironic, i miss my baby boy but i am so thankful for our time together. i struggle to listen to this song since.

[seroquelchamber]

one of my core memories is a stray kitten i was giddy to save from the street dying in my arms when i was 6 years old. when i was 22 i found a bat sprawled out on the sidewalk in the Chicago summer heat. i called off work and went and bought towels and an eye dropper, took the bat carefully to the shade without touching her with my skin, and gave her water from an eye dropper until she could hang up on the bush by herself. then i gave her a bit more water, i talked to her, i sang to her. im not even lying, i think i sang her take me to church. because i always sing that song to animals. idk why. but she wrapped herself up in her wings and i knew i could go. a while later i came back to make sure she was ok and she had flew away. i have the photos somewhere. i called her something silly like batricia. i told her it was going to be ok

so i found out what this song was about today, i looked it up, and it hurts really good. like really really good

[GraceRay-bm]

Hozier turns a roadkill into a moving love song.

[lialaokami]

Somehow Hozier manages to capture the feeling of being with an animal in its dying moments perfectly in this song. I don't know how he accomplished that, but it truly is a masterpiece put together. Even though I've never heard this song before, it instantly put me back in the moment of having to put down my childhood cat, and of his bonded pairmate passing 15 days later. Somehow instead of being gutwrenching, it's oddly bittersweet. The tone of the song makes me mourn the two, yes, but it's somehow also reassuring.. i dunno, I just know this is a beautiful piece.

[MonsPico]

I'm reliving all those moments when I had to say goodbye to all the lovely animals I've been tirelessly fighting for when working in a rescue. Oh, Hozier! ❤😢

[solla]

More than a year ago one of my cats died when she was only three years old.
We couldn't tell how but after taking her body to be examined by the vets they confirmed it was due to internal bleeding most likely from being hit by a car. I was the one who found her lying in our garden, I don't know if the person who hit her knew she was ours or if she managed to walk home after the accident, but I fully broke down completely wailing and screaming, my neighbors must've thought someone was being murdered.
It's one of the most painful experiences I've gone through, but looking back I'm just grateful that I got to hold her for a while even though she was already gone and this song (along with others) has been incredibly therapeutic for me to remember the grief and love in that memory.

[sakoyalt]

We lost our dog recently, she was 13 and this song reminds me a lot of the last trip my mum and me took with her. I’ve been singing it a lot, it hurts but it helps 🖤

[POLEMOCO]

Meravigliosa colonna sonora di questo periodo buio della mia vita...ma tutto risplende e anche il mio cuore tornerà a scaldarsi!

[alcestislessien]

I have apparently been under a rock about this artist. I have recently discovered his music (uh, thanks Pandora?) and many of them I just want to memorize and sing to (why I am on YouTube right now commenting..). Love the vocals, artistry, and talent. Love that I can make up my own shit while singing to it. Never really got into the jazz music but have been told I should have. I learned more classically years ago. Very soulful and rich music, love it!
I may go and see him live in September. 😊

[StevenRicker-vu]

I needed to find a lyric video, thank you

[nissi.k]

This artist is amazing and so is this song! Thank you siai!🙌🌹🤍

[LucyC-nxnn]

Had the enormous privilege of seeing you live in the 3 Arena Dublin early this year, truly remarkable evening, what an artist and performer. This song you introduced with a comment about a car hitting an animal, at least that’s what I recall!. It is a beautiful song for all and any of us who love animals and value their lives and great contribution to our happiness. Thank you.

[tinawood]

I felt the song was about a love that was developed between the driver and person aiding the hit animal. She how it shines meaning how ironic.

[doreenwatson-read]

I just heard my daughter playing this song whilst she was in the shower, I shouted to her to ask what it was - no response, so I called her, I just had to know what it was. I was reading some of the comments and am blown away by what it means to people, I particularly am very interested by a response by someone called @elfbreath where she speaks this song being based on Dante Alihheiri's divine comedy.