Do you think I'd give up?
That this might've shook the love from me
Or that I was on the brink?
How could you think, darlin', I'd scare so easily?
Now that it's done
There's not one thing that I would change
My life was a storm since I was born
How could I fear any hurricane?
[Pre-Chorus]
If someone asked me at the end
[Chorus]
I'd tell them, "Put me back in it" (Da-ah, darlin')
I would do it again (Ah-ah, ah-ah)
If I could hold you for a minute (Da-ah, darlin')
I'd go through it again (Ah-ah, ah-ah)
[Post-Chorus]
I would still be surprised I could find you, darlin', in any life
If I could hold you for a minute
Da-ah, darlin', I would do it again (Ah-ah, ah-ah)
[Verse 2]
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
What good would it be on the far side of things?
It was too soon
When that part of you was ripped away
A grip takin' hold like a cancer that grows
Each piece of your body that it takes
Though I know my heart would break
[Chorus]
I'd tell them, "Put me back in it" (Da-ah, darlin')
I would do it again (Ah-ah, ah-ah)
If I could hold you for a minute (Da-ah, darlin')
I'd go through it again (Ah-ah, ah-ah)
[Post-Chorus]
I would still be surprised I could find you, darlin', in any life
If I could hold you for a minute (Da-ah, darlin')
I would do it again (Ah-ah, ah-ah)
[Outro]
I would not change it each time
Heaven is not fit to house a love like you and I
I would not change it each time
Heaven is not fit to house a love like you and I
I would not change it each time
Heaven is not fit to house a love
Like you and I
About
“Francesca” is the debut single from Hozier’s third studio album, Unreal Unearth. The track is inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, particularly the story of Francesca da Rimini in the 2nd Circle of Hell Canto V. According to the artist the track is taken out from the second circle, that of Lust.
The track explores themes of love, commitment, and the journey through the 9 Circles of Hell. With a powerful melody, the lyrics explore themes of love and commitment while drawing parallels to the tragic love story of Francesca da Rimini. It serves as a testament to the enduring power of love in the midst of challenges that could potentially shake one’s devotion.
The track made its debut during two exclusive Pop-Up Shows in Paris and London. According to Hozier, prior to its official release, the song had only ever been played twice, once in a private setting. It was then teased on his social media accounts on May 19, 2023, with a snippet and a post reading:
Planning to unearth some news next week… #Francesca
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
I had written a song that was very specific to Francesca [from the Second Circle (Lust) in Dante’s Inferno], that was written from her perspective. I was even trying to write it in terza rima, which is the interlocking triplets that Dante wrote in. But that’s where I was a like, ‘OK, I have to step back a little bit from this.’ When this song came around, it started from personal experience and then I allowed those themes and some of the imagery from that character in and then let the two mix. It’s an example of letting the song have a life above ground and resonate with a life below ground in regard to that character.
- 3.First Time
- 4.Francesca
- 8.Who We Are
- 9.Son of Nyx
- 10.All Things End
- 12.Butchered Tongue
- 13.Anything But
- 15.Unknown / Nth
- 16.First Light
