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Work Song
Hozier Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Boys, workin' on empty
Is that the kinda way to face the burning heat?
I just think about my baby
I'm so full of love I could barely eat
There's nothing sweeter than my baby
I'd never want once from the cherry tree
'Cause my baby's sweet as can be
She give me toothaches just from kissin' me

When my time comes around
Lay me gently in the cold, dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her

Boys, when my baby found me
I was three days on a drunken sin
I woke with her walls around me
Nothin' in her room but an empty crib
And I was burnin' up a fever
I didn't care much how long I lived
But I swear I thought I dreamed her
She never asked me once about the wrong I did

When my time comes around
Lay me gently in the cold, dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her

When my time comes around
Lay me gently in the cold, dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her

My babe would never fret none
About what my hands and my body done
If the Lord don't forgive me
I'd still have my baby and my babe would have me
When I was kissing on my baby
And she put her love down soft and sweet
In the low lamplight I was free
Heaven and hell were words to me

When my time comes around
Lay me gently in the cold, dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her

When my time comes around
Lay me gently in the cold, dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I'll crawl home to her

Overall Meaning

The song "Work Song" by Hozier tells a story of a man who is madly in love with his partner, whom he refers to as "my baby." He is a laborer who works tirelessly, but his love for his partner keeps him going. Through the song, we can hear the man's intimate thoughts about his lover and his devotion to her. He even mentions that she gives him toothaches just from kissing him, emphasizing the intensity of their love.


The second half of the song takes a darker turn as we hear about the man's past. He was previously a drunken sinner who woke up in his partner's house with nothing but an empty crib. However, his partner stands by him and never questions him about his past indiscretions. The man knows he is forgiven and seeks redemption through his partner's love. The song ends with him believing that when he dies, he will crawl back to her from beyond the grave.


Hozier's "Work Song" is not just a love song but a song about the power of redemption through love. The man's past is dark, but he is willing to change for the love of his partner, who has brought light into his life. The lyrics are raw and emotional, highlighting the importance of forgiveness and the transformative power of love.


Line by Line Meaning

Boys workin' on empty
Men working without energy or purpose


Is that the kinda way to face the burning heat?
Is that a good way to deal with difficult situations?


I just think about my baby
The singer focuses on his love for his partner


I'm so full of love I could barely eat
The singer is overflowing with positive emotions


There's nothing sweeter than my baby
The singer's partner is the sweetest thing he knows


I'd never want once from the cherry tree
He doesn't want anything else in life


'Cause my baby's sweet as can be
His partner is incredibly sweet


She give me toothaches just from kissin' me
The singer is so in love that even kissing his partner hurts him, but in a good way


When my time comes around
When the singer dies


Lay me gently in the cold dark earth
Bury me respectfully when I die


No grave can hold my body down
He believes that he will transcend death


I'll crawl home to her
He will return to his partner after death


Boys, when my baby found me
When his partner found him


I was three days on a drunken sin
He had been drunk and reckless for three days


I woke with her walls around me
He woke up in his partner's home


Nothin' in her room but an empty crib
The room was empty, except for the baby's crib


And I was burnin' up a fever
He was extremely sick


I didn't care much how long I lived
He was reckless with his life


But I swear I thought I dreamed her
He couldn't believe that his partner was real


She never asked me once about the wrong I did
His partner didn't judge him for his past mistakes


My baby never fret none
His partner never worries about his past actions


About what my hands and my body done
His partner doesn't judge him for his actions


If the Lord don't forgive me
If God doesn't forgive him


I'd still have my baby and my babe would have me
He would still have his partner's love


When I was kissing on my baby
When he was kissing his partner


And she put her love down soft and sweet
His partner expressed her love in a gentle way


In the low lamp light I was free
He felt happy and free in that moment


Heaven and hell were words to me
His love for his partner transcends all other concepts, including heaven and hell




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Andrew Hozier-Byrne

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@territim09

My husband is in the ground, but he's right here. He had PTSD from war. Was an alcoholic. Means much to me

@RXbee2

I'm so sorry for your loss.

@fakename658

I'm so sorry.
I hope everytime you listen to this, you are able to release pent up energy and I hope that by the time the song is over, you feel peace.
His live will always be yours to keep.

@mpezarosakantumoya789

​@@fakename658the 😅😅😅😅

@mpezarosakantumoya789

​@@fakename658the 😅😅😅😅

@shadyganley8877

​@mpezarosakantumoya789 gurl you too funny 😂 listen y'all, Dishiki Jr Jackson ain't playin yahmsayin? Abbadooba hebbadooba shabbadoodoo nahniganah yahmsayin? Keeps it rill gurl! An dats own my mawma 😂

@katiehutchens211

A big part of me wants this played at my wedding. My fiance loves it too and i introduced it to him. ❤
We love the chorus and sing it together with everything we have lol its both tragic and beautiful.

@dheslvr

do it!!!

@dianaioanabirau2176

Do ittttt❤

@janvisingh3464

He's so used to crawling home to her everyday that he'll do that in death also, such strong is the love he has for her. It is something that is now become natural to him. Something that can be interpreted from chorus of this song. 🌿❤

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