Decoding the Profound Narrative of Hozier’s Eat Your Young Lyrics

Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, globally recognised as Hozier, is an Irish maestro whose profound music finds roots in folk, soul, and blues. Hozier’s compelling lyrics often intertwine with religious and literary motifs, leading his audience on a deep, introspective journey. Born on March 17, 1990, Hozier gained international acclaim with his debut single, Take Me to Church, a song that garnered multi-platinum status in several countries. Hozier’s Eat Your Young lyrics further embellish his legacy of thought-stirring music.

The title Eat Your Young, though initially shocking, mirrors some harsh realities of the natural world. Certain animal species practise this phenomenon, a fact Hozier skillfully threads into his song. The song’s title may allude to the 1729 satirical essay “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift, which provocatively suggests that the impoverished should sell their children to the affluent for cannibalisation, serving as a remedy for Ireland’s poverty. Furthermore, the song could be perceived as a criticism of the capitalism, consumerism, and militarism that pervade our contemporary society.

Nevertheless, the song transcends its literal interpretation, venturing into the realms of metaphorical introspection and societal critique.

Eat Your Young lyrically sketches the third circle of hell from Dante’s Inferno, where gluttonous souls languish in a barren wasteland spawned by their own excess. It delves into themes of greed and overindulgence, casting an unforgiving spotlight on our society’s unquenchable thirst for more. The lyrics depict a feast in preparation and the ensuing pandemonium, crafting a potent image of unhinged consumption.

In the song, Hozier’s poignant voice rings out, “I’m starvin’, darlin’ / Let me put my lips to something / Let me wrap my teeth around the world / Start carvin’, darlin’ / I wanna smell the dinner cookin’ / I wanna feel the edges start to burn“.

The protagonist of the song is portrayed as desperate enough to undertake any measures to fulfil their desires, symbolising the corrosive power of greed.

Moreover, the lyrics employ metaphors like “pull up the ladder when the flood comes,” “skin the children for a war drum,” and “eat your young” to expose the brutal, self-centred nature of individuals who exploit and consume others for personal gain. He dares listeners to “get some” and partake in the feast, or else risk being left behind or consumed.

The song provides a biting commentary on the brutal reality of a world where people’s aspirations for wealth and power consume them, even if it means destroying the future. The primal urge to produce and consume is morphed into an almost demonic compulsion, apt for a song predicated on the gluttonous circle of hell.

Hozier released an official lyric video for the song on YouTube, complete with hand-drawn illustrations and animations reflecting the song’s mood and theme, which has already gathered millions of views.

The mastermind behind Eat Your Young, Hozier, has been a significant figure in the music industry since his debut EP in 2013. His musical journey is marked by critical acclaim, culminating in his second album, “Wasteland, Baby!,” which debuted at the pinnacle of the Irish Albums Chart and the Billboard 200.

Despite his stellar success, Hozier remains humble and unwaveringly committed to his craft. Recalling his days scrubbing toilets at a golf course as a “good experience of hard work,” this devotion is reflected in his intricate songwriting. Eat Your Young serves as a stark examination of societal gluttony and a chilling reminder of the potential cost of our unchecked desires.

Hozier Eat Your Young Lyrics

I’m starving, Darling
Let me put my lips to something
Let me wrap my teeth around the world
Start carving, Darling
I want to smell the dinner cooking
I want to feel the edges start to burn

Honey, I
Want to race you to the table
If you hesitate

The getting is gone
I won’t lie
If there’s something to be gained
There’s money to be made
Whatever’s still to come

Get some
Pull up the ladder when the flood comes
Throw enough rope until the legs have swung
Seven new ways that you can eat your young
Come and get some
Skinning the children for a war-drum
Putting food on the table selling bombs and guns;
It’s quicker and easier to eat your young

You can’t buy this fineness
Let me see the heat get to it
Let me watch the dressing start to peel
It’s a kindness, Highness
Crumbs enough for everyone
Old and young are welcome to the meal

Honey, I’m
Making sure the table’s made
We can celebrate
The good that we’ve done

I won’t lie
If there’s something still to take
There is ground to break
Whatever’s still to come

Get some
Pull up the ladder when the flood comes
Throw enough rope until the legs have swung
Seven new ways that you can eat your young
Come and get some Skinning the children for a war-drum
Putting food on the table selling bombs and guns;
It’s quicker and easier to eat your young