NFWMB by Hozier Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Deep Emotional Ties
Lyrics
The end was soon
To Bethlehem it slouched
And then it must’ve caught a good look at you
Give your heart and soul to charity
‘Cause the rest of you
The best of you
Honey, belongs to me
Ain’t it a gentle sound, the rollin’ in the graves?
Ain’t it like thunder under earth, the sound it makes?
Ain’t it exciting you, the rumble where you lay?
Ain’t you my baby? ain’t you my baby?
Nothing fucks with my baby
Nothing can get a look in on my baby
Nothing fucks with my baby
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
If I was born as a blackthorn tree
I’d wanna be felled by you
Held by you
Fuel the pyre of your enemies
Ain’t it warming you, the world gone up in flames?
Ain’t it the life you, you’re lighting of the blaze?
Ain’t it a waste they’d watch the throwing of the shade?
Ain’t you my baby? ain’t you my babe?
Nothing fucks with my baby
Nothing can get a look in on my baby
Nothing fucks with my baby
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
Nothing fucks with my baby
Nothing can get a look in on my baby
Nothing fucks with my baby
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
Nothing fucks with my baby
Nothing can get a look in on my baby
Nothing fucks with my baby
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
Hozier’s song ‘NFWMB,’ short for ‘Nothing F***s With My Baby,’ off his ‘Nina Cried Power’ EP, is a haunting lullaby that resonates with the deep protective instincts and adoration one feels for their beloved against the backdrop of a world teeming with chaos. Yet, beneath its protective assurances, a complex tapestry weaves together intimacy, defiance, and a touch of apocalyptic tenderness.
The song’s allure isn’t just in its spectral, soulful delivery; it’s also in the cryptic poetry that Hozier is known for. Each line serves as both a fortress and an invitation into the inner sanctum of the singer’s heart. Here, we dive deep to parse the lyrical intricacies and reveal the layers of meaning stitched within the fabric of ‘NFWMB.’
The Catalyst of Love and Doom
Hozier’s opening lines begin with a moment of revelatory love, starkly contrasted against an ominous, Biblical backdrop. We find the imagery of Bethlehem intertwined with the end looming near, a suggestion that love has the power to ward off impending doom or even compel it to retreat. This juxtaposition creates an electrifyingly romantic and yet, apocalyptic frame for the entire song, suggesting that the potency of the love he feels is strong enough to fend off a cataclysmic force.
It’s as if this love both heralds and halts the end of times, standing as a testament to the transformative power of human connection. The involvement of such powerful religious imagery infuses the bond between the lovers with a transcendent, almost mythic quality.
Exclusive Devotion and Possession
At the core of ‘NFWMB’ lies a possessive yet affectionate declaration. The singer insists that the best of their lover belongs to them – a claim that goes beyond physical possession and hints at a spiritual exclusivity. There’s a sense of utter devotion that feels reverent and self-sacrificial, as Hozier suggests the idea of giving whatever remains to a cause larger than themselves.
It’s a protective claim, enveloped in tenderness and care, underscoring an intimate understanding between the pair. The juxtaposition of charity, an act associated with selflessness, with the possessiveness expressed over one’s partner, calls forth the complexity of human relationships where altruism and possessiveness coexist.
Embracing the Rumble: The Soundscapes of Affection
Hozier’s auditory imagery in ‘NFWMB’ evokes the physicality of both affection and conflict. The rolling graves, thunder under earth, and the rumbles beside which his lover lays all resonate with the stirring power of nature and emotion. These sounds parallel the turmoil of the world with the intensity of the love he expresses, finding beauty and reassurance within the chaos.
The subtle backdrop of disturbance underscores the tranquility found in true companionship. This intersection of sound becomes a metaphor for their bond which is as undeniable and compelling as the natural forces of the world.
The Fiery Elegy of the Blackthorn Tree
In a vividly poetic turn, Hozier speaks of being ‘born as a blackthorn tree,’ a plant often associated with protection and strength in Celtic symbolism. There’s an intrinsic fierceness in his wish to be felled and fuel his lover’s enemies’ pyre, reflective of the ancient practice of using blackthorn wood for its purifying flames.
This imagery is vibrant and violent, underscoring a willingness to sacrifice oneself in the act of protecting and empowering the other. The theme of self-sacrifice here is deeply interwoven with the sense of passionate love, willing to go to great lengths, even transformation into an object of nature, to serve and guard one’s beloved.
The Anthemic Chorus: A Defiant Mantra
The chorus of ‘NFWMB’ serves as both a battle cry and a soothing mantra, with the repetition of ‘Nothing f***s with my baby’ becoming almost meditative. This phrase encapsulates the entire song’s sentiment — a declaration of protection and an unbreakable bond.
Such a strong sentiment, reinforced with repetition, leaves no room for doubt. It’s a pledge that despite whatever trials the world might present, their love shall remain untouched. Much like a protective charm, the words embody the fierce guardianship Hozier feels for his beloved, lending the song a raw power that is both intimate and universal.
