The historical tale behind Hozier's 'Francesca' 

Hey! I absolutely love your breakdowns of Hozier's work. So excited for the album and I'm sure you'll do a fantastic job at analysing that text as well! Just wanted respectfully throw out there in case you were unaware, "crippled" is considered by many of us in the disabled community, as being quite offensive and hurtful language. I would consider using the term "disabled" in the future if you wish to avoid language that may hurt people. A lot of disabled people have reclaimed the word and use it to describe themselves, so you might see it in that context but in general it should be avoided when used to describe others (especially by non-disabled people). Again, great vid, keep up the good work!

"I just have these visions of Francesca and Paulo being wrapped around each other in this storm, but enduring because the only home they truly have is each other." // Your words hold so much magic. WOW

hozier never fails to amaze me with his lyricism. thank you for making this!

this song owns my entire soul, the very idea of their love being worth hell and torture is everything to me as a queer person, "heaven is not fit to house a love like you and i" rocked me to my very core and it still leaves me breathless when ever i listen to francesca (which is a lot) and im itching for the rest of this album, I'm very lucky that i get to see Hozier in malahide castle at the end of this month and a side note as an irish person, the snippet i heard for butchered tongue has me chewing on the furniture great video once again

I love the idea that Francesca sees the hurricane as not only a symbol of the strength of her love for Paolo, but her own willpower. Hozier portrayed as a complicated and fierce woman that knew her own mind, heart, and power. In Dante's case, I wonder if there's a crisis of faith going on when he confronts Francesca, and possibly, envy? After all, he loved an idealized woman from a distance. But unlike Beatrice and him, Francesca and Paolo had the guts to pursue their love in life and death, regardless of the storms.

My litterature teacher actully had a different take on the Canto 5 . Here in Italy we study the whole Divina Commadia during high school and Canto 5 is probably everyone's favourite. I was really hoping Hozier would write about it. Our teacher told us that at end of the story Dante faints because he has contradicting thoughts: he knows what Francesca has felt during her life (Dante was inlove with a married woman too, Beatrice) so he dosen't feel like she should be condemned but at the same time he doesn't want to go against god's will. He faints so he dosen't have to express that, he does that multipe times during Inferno

I was on Hozier's concert in Italy and before playing Francesca he explained the inspiration behind it, basically confirming what you 've so beautifully explained; he felt the need to exhonorate Francesca, for she died for love. I thought I couldn't love this song more, but having heard the story behind it makes it so much more powerful.

Before seeing this video, I assumed the song was from Paolo's perspective because I just love the idea of it not even being from the point of view of Francesca but the man that she loved. How he'd still love her, even knowing the fate that awaited them. But giving Francessca her own life back gives me another kind of happiness. Both are good interpretations, and Hozier is honestly just an insanely good lyricist.

wow. from the first time i ever listened to this song, i had goosebumps right around "how could you think, darling, i'd scare so easily?" and was full-on crying when the chorus came around. and every time i learn and realise something new about this song, i'm hit with yet another wave of emotion stronger than the last. "Francesca" really has me in a death grip and just like you said, if this is the standard that we can expect for the album then i don't think my poor heart can handle it 🥺 also, i saw someone else say this on twitter but can we talk about the fact that this is the song that references the sin of Lust in the whole Inferno context, and Hozier EASILY could have turned it into a spicy song and it probably would have sounded AMAZING still but instead he chose to write a song about deep devotion to your lover and staying loyal to them, even enduring pain and suffering or giving up a peaceful afterlife just to be with them again? HELLO???? ANDREW??????

I am always amazed by the thin threads that connect us all in this world: The one that brought me here was because a random post from a friend of mine on Facebook making a comment about the Jason Aldean controversy, made a comment that his daughter loves Hozier's music. I then searched RU-vid, listened to "Francesca" and loved it and then saw your video here and loved your wonderful explanation! The even more amazing part is the history of my life, while not filled with lies, secrecy, affairs, and murder; I am well aware of being blessed with having been in struggles that I would do all over again because the love was so strong. It has also made me understand that we can have more than one soulmate in our lives. At 16, my first soulmate and I met at Disney, fell in love over a long-distance relationship and married at 20. We raised 2 wonderful children and after 27 years of marriage, at 48, Treva passed away from complications of a 10 year struggle with an autoimmune disease. I found myself a widower working through the grief and figuring out who I was after losing half of my soul. I was unaware that 4 years earlier, a wife was losing her husband of 27 years to a stroke after raising 6 kids of their own and facing similar grief. One year after losing my wife, Lesley and I met in a FB support group for widows, found out we lived 30 minutes apart and became best friends over the next year. Then without warning, she suffered the same type of stoke that took her husbands life and I realized I loved her more than a friend. After dating a short time, we were married 6 months later, and just celebrated our 2 years anniversary. I have been blessed TWICE to know love so amazing and so deep that the struggles of life are all worth it!!! Thanks again for your great video!!!

Loved the video, just want to add that the line "my life was a storm, since I was born" may also be referring to Francesca's early life in the midst of a war and being pawned of to marry Giovanni! Loved your analysis, I'm currently reading Dante's inferno inspired by your last Hozier video ❤

This song really struck home with me because my husband has dealt with cancer and it’s after effects for 18 years. As difficult as that has been for me I would choose to do it all over again because I love him so much.

"heaven is not fit to house a love like you and i" also reads to me like a rejection of the purity that landed them in hell, like they cannot understand our love and they cannot deal with it, and to hell with that, we are here and we are together. and that is just beautiful, i didn't listen to this song the day it came out, but it popped up on my shuffle the day i needed to listen to it which was how stumbled upon his music the first time round :')

I've always thought that the tragedy of Francesca and Paolo's love is that, in being introduced to them through Dante's eyes in Hell, their relationship has largely been viewed through the lens of that ultimate end. Their behaviour is cast in the light of the supposed sin of lust that caused them to be punished as they are, rather than love that brought them together despite their circumstances. When Hozier sings that "For all that was said / Of where we'd end up at the end of it / When the heart would cease, ours nеver knew peacе," this yearning of the heart and acceptance of the consequences reflects Francesca's own assertion that "love led us to one death". I so appreciate that Hozier gives Francesca's words the weight that Dante didn't, and honours the love that Paolo and Francesca had for each other.

While listening to the song i kept thinking of orpheus and Euridice for some reason. I also cried at the ending part.

as a queer person with a lot of religious trauma, the line "heaven is not fit to house a love like you and i" has single-handedly changed the trajectory of my life

When I heard the song for the first time, I fell in love with it instantly. I have never, ever truly felt a song like Francesca. It struck me like the warmest hug; the most beautiful and comforting embrace I've had. Hozier's work is truly amazing. The way he writes and pours all he has to make every single one of his songs never fails to leave me speechless in the best way possible. I cannot stress enough the love that I have for this song.

this song has become very personal for me because my boyfriend and I aren’t approved of by his mother, but he’s financially dependent on her because of his poor health right now. The second verse honestly brings me to tears after too many listens because his body really is being chipped away by his chronic illness. I feel like sometimes we might be inclined to give up on our love but I really would go through all the pain and heartbreak to hold him geez I’m crying again

Obviously the song applies to like so many kinds of love, but as a queer person it truly hits hard. Like the line you’ve mentioned “heaven is not meant to house a love like you and I”, and the strength to forgo ease and heaven for love, I just love that he was able to capture this multi dimensional, very deep love for people to relate to or to hope for, it’s a beautiful take in the story I’m obsessed

I know this is a song about two lovers but I think the lyrics are so broad that anyone could dedicate it to whoever they love, whether it being your parents, friends or whatever. I find this song so beautiful that when my little dog died due to a lot of illnesses I dedicated it to her, because even though taking care of someone is incredibly exhausting I would do it again and again just to experience that innocent and genuine love. ❤ (Great analysis btw)

YESSSS I HAVE BEEN ANXIOUS FOR THIS ONE!!

"i'm blown away by this song" perfect 10/10

For some reason I'd thought he was singing from Paulo's perspective. Kind of giving him a voice and disputing Dontae's take on the situation. I like the idea that it's from hers too. This was a good break down 😊

Between you, hozier himself, and wendigoon, i was inclined to purchase to the divine comedy and did, just 2 days ago i finished reading Canto V and started listening to francesca but more critically, and it was cool to see each and every little reference that hozier placed in his song from inferno and how he gives this heretic and clandestine love a new perspective.

Wow, this was amazing! It is such a beautiful song, and before I even knew what it was about (thanks to your video!), I had a queer reading to it. Being a lesbian myself probably helped lol, but some lines are so strong, like "There's not one thing that I would change/ My life was a storm/ Since I was born/ How could I fear any hurricane?".The experience of loving someone so much that you go through every single adversity in life, since there's nothing but adversity, for most of us. And it's even a greater challenge for queer people who grew up religious because loving someone you're not supposed to could lead you to hell. And still, "If someone asked me at the end/ I'd tell them: put me back in it/ Darling, I would do it again" because there's nowhere we would rather be than with that person. We love who we love. This song made me speechless, it's a spectacular view on love and how strong its ties can be. I'm so excited for the rest of the album, and also can't wait for your interpretation of it!

I know that this song is super historically based and well thought out but I love the idea, too, that Hozier used the image of worms because of the question, “would you love me if I was a worm” and this song would be an answer to that (it’s probably not accurate but I think that would be adorable)

Loved it and I liked, that Virgil actually showed compassion for Francesca and like you, dismissed Dante's lack of compassion (based on religious belief.

Hiii I really loved you talking about Dante, I’m from Italy and in school we study Dante in middle school and then in high school for three years, une Cantica for year, so we spend a lot of time describing all of this. I always lived this tale, and inferno in particular, partly because the little village that I come from Santa Fiora is quoted in it. I liked how you stressed Francesca as product of her time and how her decision is just to love a man and to love him without restraint. I think it aspires us to feel what we’re feeling, to express it and not be ashamed if it, to fight for love in a way. No not be afraid to be consumed by the fires of love. To burn in it peacefully.

Wonderful video! I loved that you took a beat to emphasize Francesca's feelings in all of this. I listen to Mormon Stories Podcast because listening to other Ex-Mormons discuss leaving is very helpful for my religious trauma. What you're discussing about Francesca and her father made me think about something Margi Dehlin said on one of the episodes about the church system replacing the family system. I think that happens with a lot of hierarchies: royalty, religion, etc. He wasn't just her father, he was her Lord. He gave priority to that because he dedicated his life to that system, so much so that it took away the normal role a parent is supposed to play in a familial system. The cognitive dissonance for her would've been immense. "I'm not just your father, I'm also your bishop." "That's not just my grandmother, she's the Queen." When statements and choices like that are made, usually what's actually being said is I've given everything, even my children, to this ideal and way of life. It's another way to "eat your young."

Brings tears of deep emotion and pain to me.... So Romantic, so heartfelt.... so damning, loving and tragic. This testimony of his love for her is beyond enthralling. Indeed, Francesca must've melted into his arms as they twrill around and around of the deepest love for one another.......Never ending?.....

my favorite lyric is “i would still be surprised i could find you, darlin, in any life” ITS SO REAL UGH

This little corner here on RU-vid is part of the ones that bring me true confort e content just for being here watching, Honor your vibe is stunning, love the aesthetic and the way you turn into words what I feel towards hozier's work is nothing but splendid. I believe we should all worship dear andrew and also blame him for making my love standards so high.

My bf is my hs sweetheart and stood by me dor a decade of me escaping a home riddled with child abuse and constantly battling my mental and physical health and this video kinda unpacked exactly why i love this song so much. I am very lucky indeed to have a love unfit for heaven.

these videos have inspired me to analyse lyrics more thoroughly and i adore how to interpret and explain these songs! these are truly comforting as well (I've rewatched your 'Eat Your Young', 'Mermaids' and 'Labour' videos countlessly at this point) and the information you provide makes these pieces of art all the more precious in my heart. thank you to say the least

I think Hozier said in an interview that the first version of this song was written for some one specific, and it worked for the albums theme too

Happy to join this little gang of lyrical analysis. Plus Hozier. Always Hozier.

me and my husband are celebrating our 10th year soon. full of ups and downs but all of it with love. perfect song

seeing as the songs off eat your young relate to the circles of hell and francesca relates to a certain character from the divine comedy, i really hope there'll be one about dante or virgil themselves as well! they could both be incredible subjects for songs - dante being the writer of the story and its hero as well, and virgil being such a tragic figure - and i think it could add a lot to his exploration of the story!

I've been in love with the new album of Hozier, and I'm also being blown away by thinking how someone could make something so beautiful out of a tragedy explained through the eyes of love! When I was young, I read the Inferno part of the book because it was hard for me to focus on the other parts due to religious beliefs. Now that I'm going through a hard time regarding a past relationship, the song made me realize that even if it was hard, it was all worth it and even feeling the pain I'm feeling every day, is worth it. If I had to re-live all my pain to remember the beautiful moments I spent loving a special someone in the past, it still would be worth it all over again. But I especially love the part that says, "My life was a storm, since I was born, How could I fear any hurricane?" It struck me in a more personal way, because since I've had memory I've struggled with a lot of things, that in the long term view shaped me as me, and, growing up with those surroundings made me stronger to be compassionate and made me learn how to love, even if sometimes when it ends, hurts more than you could ever imagine. But then again, I know for sure "I'll tell them put me back in it, Darling, I would do it again"

As soon as the song dropped I was thinking about how excited I was to watch your analysis

thank you for making me fall in love with classic literature all over again

Ma favorite song in the album so far .

I already knew the story of Francesca but I LOOOVE hearing you talk about history!

Oh, this was a song i FELT. I was in the middle of writing an essay, but i stopped to watch the lyrics video because i tend to jusy hear music and not listening. It reminded me of Nihilist philosophy. To live a life so fully and so beautiful with no regrets. Such as that at the end, if a horrible a demon told you that you will life this life all over again, to every minute detail, you would call the devil God and thank him. It was the final lyrics and the way the music felt like it was surrounding me that did me in. Like Francesa defiantly screaming into the wind while shes thrown around that she regrets jothin. It made lay down in bed and stare at the roof and let the tears fall from my eyes. "I would not change it each time. Heaven is not fit to house a love like you and I"

the beautiful narrative of francesca's emotions makes the song even more precious to me! thank you for the context!! the song made me also think about a general love for life, how even if you may end up heartbroken and hurt it is always worth loving and giving it your all. i feel like its the recurring theme of hozier's music in this new album for me, a reminder that experiencing all human emotions and love is always worth it even if you can expect it to hurt a lot later. like he says in all things end "if there was anyone to ever get through this life with their heart still intact, they didnt do it right". So yeah when he sings out "i'd tell them put me back in it" he inspires this beautiful urge in me to live and love my life and to wish for it to be something id beg to be put back in, no matter the pain id lived. thank you for your videos, theyre always a great watch!

Justice for Franny!

i echo everything the people in this comment section has said. i have not gotten francesca out of my head since my first listen (and nor do i want to). the way you so eloquently word your dives into lyrics, their influences, interpretations and what they mean to you is everything; as well as the practice of opening up further interpretations up to those of us that are watching you tell yours. i need to pick up dante’s inferno to read asap! it was great to be reminded of the lense he wrote it through and, how hozier has turned it into something same, but different. also, i love your earrings!! where are they from?

This song for some reason makes me cry. It's so powerful and full of love. The way that he sings as if he was screaming the chorus: I'D TELL THEM , "PUT ME BACK IN IT " DARLIN', I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IF I COULD HOLD YOU FOR A MINUTE DARLIN', I'D GO THROUGH IT AGAIN CHILLS!

This is definitely my favorite song we’ve heard so far. If anything else from the album beats it I will be SHOCKED. Knowing Andrew anything is possible. Great video, Honor! ❤️

😭😭😭😭 Gives the song even more meaning knowing the history of what inspired the song

as soon as it dropped I fell in love with Francesca... it is probably my favorite out of his latest songs. The lyrics are fantastic but I also love the rock energy he's brought into it. I've never studied Inferno before but I think I'll get a copy so I'm ready for the album!!!

love this! I've seen some of Hozier's interviews talking about it but he usually doesn't get to go more in depth, so it's really nice to know more. I also needed to say that you look beautiful! Your make up, earings and hair are amazing!

the last few minutes of this really made me emotional.. my partner and I have been through what feels like hell and back, but we are stronger than ever now. If that was the only way that could bring me to her and get us to the point where we are now, I'd go through that hell over and over again.

Thank you for this take and explanation of Dante's tale and Hozier's reply. I love when music is put to the classic writtings. Hence "Weathering Heights" or "My Annabell Lee" by Stevie Nicks.

Andrew has written some songs about love. The love that physically hurts in Cherry Wine. The love that is set ablaze in Would that I. The love that moves you in Movement. The love that is lost in Shrike. And so on. But this time he wrote a song about the love that is forbidden.

I just adore Hozier AND your videos are absolutely perfect ❤️

Hi! I am extremely happy to have stumbled upon this channel!! The interpretations, the background story and their connection to the song were beautifully executed! Thank you for this!! I'm just blown away!

Thank you SO much ! You've been very clear ! I LOVE this part of Dante's INFERNO , a tremendously poignant and tragic story ! Hozier's song "Francesca" has powerful lyrics and music , it reaches my heart and soul in a very deep way ...

"im blown away by this song" haahha i see what u did there

I found you last night and it is a pleasure listening to your voice and breakdown while at work. All of hoziers word has had willows of rabbit holes. Its nice to see that im not the only one who wants to venture. Keep up the magnificent work.

I'm so happy I found your content♡♡ Your videos are super comforting, like listening to a friend talk about their favorite poem or song

I was waiting this video so much !! Thank you for your quick work ❤

tysm for making this!!

Just beautiful

This is the first video of yours I’ve come across and wow am I glad RU-vid recommended it!

So glad I found your channel! Your videos are so beautiful and insightful to watch. I love this community in this little corner of RU-vid, so thank you!

I absolutely adored your video ! I was searching something like that from a long long time, so glad I finally found you !

I have recently started following you and I’m loving your content. So detailed!❤❤

omg i love this; your videos are beautiful

Very interesting! tnx!

I just want you to know that I have come back to this video three separate times to rewatch it (this is the fourth) because you just explain it so well. Something about this song speaks to me and I've loved Hozier since I was 15, so it's just amazing to see other people really exploring his songs and getting excited about the history because wow is there so much to unpack here. I didn't know the story behind this song but now that I do its even more emotional to listen to.

Excellent job.

Listening to francesca feels like Eros uses a sledgehammer instead of a bow and arrow

This is really well done, thank you! The song is sooooo beautiful, it's nice to have context

You are becoming one of my favorite RU-vid channels, I love how you break down songs in such a literary manner it’s so informative.

cldnt wait to hear the way you’ll break it down and it truly made me fall in love with the song even more

what a beautifully constructed video! simple yet deep. it's very refreshing to find this kind of content, so thank you so much for sharing. I've been a fan of Hozier for a while and it never fails to amaze me how profound his lyrics are.

your hozier commentary videos are wonderful and make me love the music even more, thank you!

This was such a beautiful story thank u for telling us. Such a sad but gorgeous love story.

I love your earrings!! Thank you for the extra perspective on the meaning behind the song - I wondered what the title was in reference to, and now that I know I can appreciate it so much more :)

I’m glad youtube recommended this video! subscribed right away

incredible video as usual, and your earrings are amazing!!!

i loved this video, you always give such great analyses!! i love this song so much, and the fact that it came out on my birthday makes it even more special to me! also, thanks to your last Hozier video, i ordered a copy of Dante's inferno in preparation for the album!! really looking forward to read it!! ❤

was hoping you'd do a video on this song breaking down the Dante of it all 😍 the grip this song in particular has on my soul is truly insane

you're such a joy to listen to, Honor. Looking forward to more from you, as Hozier sends more of Unreal Unearth our way xx

I really enjoyed this video, i like the mood and the style. Im gonna share with my nieces and nephews. Thank you for reflecting this spirit that i miss, someone calmly discussing Dante.

Yours is quickly coming to be one of my favorite accounts! Lovely, beautiful video :)

What a beautiful explanation. Thank you

I absolutely love this song (and your outfit today especially the earrings and makeup) and I love how hozier took this story and ran with it and showed it in a positive light. I absolutely cannot with the guitar in this song I love it so much. I can’t wait for Unreal Unearth to come out.

You genuinely elevate the experience of listening to Hozier so much with your thoughts and perspective. I appreciate these videos you've made so much and I'm so looking forward to the album to coming out, not just for the music itself but also to hear what you have to say about it.

i love the song so much and i desperately needed analysis of it and am glad to have found your videos. i would love to hear a dueted version of francesca to sort of see where hozier would imagine which of the perspectives are at play, tho ofc i love hearing him play all the parts whether it is paolo, francesca or the narrator. and i cant believe we have to wait til august for the whole album tho it also gives us time to brace for the masterpiece it will be.

I got to hear this song live and it was an amazing experience, so heartbreaking and extremely beautiful at the same time! Thank you so much for making me understand it more ❤️

I love seeing these videos because they describe so well the historical context of the song and explain what Hozier is trying to say. such a powerful song 🫶🏻

i love your videos on Hozier's work. thank you for YOUR work that you've done :) time to go buy a copy of Inferno to prepare for the album

He really is a poet as well as an amazing musician! Thanks this video was very informative!

I fell in love with this song and I evermore excited for the rest! I relate to the song a lot more than I ever thought. I am Native and my lover is also native, different tribe. Enemy tribes lol. But! Both our families a firm Christian believes. We are both male. It isn’t just love, when you find someone who you can relate to. Someone who can understand you. Understand different circumstances if it were any other way, maybe we are meant to be together. Maybe we will be condemned to Inferno. Maybe this love is a mockery of god. As the lyrics say “Do you think I’d give up?” “How can you think darling scare so easily?” “How can I fear any hurricane?” “Put me back in!” Maybe heaven is fit to house our love. Who cares. I’m just happy and grateful that I’m able to find a song that can blow my mind away! It makes me truly appreciate Hozier’s music and poetic Justice. 😤🙏🏽

Your videos are great, honestly kudos to how much love you put into them!

Your video's scratch the itch of digging deep into lyrics, that hold too much weight for me not to scramble to unpick every line and nuance. Your a godsend!

You explained the context and Hozier’s interpretation wonderfully. Kudos!

you've just inspired me to read "Divine Comedy", thank you!