Hozier (2019). Nina Cried Power [Song]. On Wasteland, Baby![Album]. Rubyworks Island.
https://open.spotify.com/track/4rcSvYi807urIIqfeX3tBo?si=d7494412c4184a84
Hozier (n.d.). Activists featured in the Nina Cried Power video. Hozier. Retrieved November 18, 2021, from https://hozier.com/ninacriedpowercast/
Q On CBC. (2018, September 19). Hozier: “Music is political no matter what.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smAmUuLrXAY
Nina Cried Power by Hozier ft. Mavis Staples
It’s not the wakin’, it’s the risin’
It is the groundin’ of a foot uncompromisin’
It’s not forgoin’ of the lie, It’s not the openin’ of eyes
It’s not the wakin’, it’s the risin’
It’s not the shade we should be casting
It’s the light, it’s the obstacle that casts it
It’s the heat that drives the light
It’s the fire it ignites
It’s not the wakin’, it’s the risin’
It’s not the song, it is the singin’
It’s the heaven of the human spirit ringin’
It is the bringin’ of the line
It is the bearin’ of the rhyme
It’s not the wakin’, it’s the risin’
And I could cry power (power)
Power (power)
Power, Lord!
Nina cried power
Billie cried power
Mavis cried power
And I could cry power
Power (power)
Power (power)
Power, Lord!
Curtis cried power
Patti cried power
Nina cried power
It’s not the wall, but what’s behind it
Oh, the fear of fellow men is near assignment
And everything that we’re denied
By keepin’ the divide
It’s not the wakin’, it’s the risin’
And I could cry power (power)
Power (power)
Power (power)
Power, Lord!
Nina cried power
Lennon cried power
James Brown cried power
And I could cry power
Power (power)
Power (power)
Power
Billy cried power
Joni cried power
Nina cried power
And I could cry power
Power has been cried by those stronger than me
Straight into the face that tells you to rattle your chains
If you love bein’ free
Ah, Lord, I could cry power
Power (power)
‘Cause power is my love when my love reaches to me
James Brown cried power
Seger cried power
Marvin cried power
Yeah ah, power
James cried power
Millie cried power
Patti cried power
Billie, power
Dylan, power
Woody, power
Nina cried power
Notes:
- “It’s not the wakin’, it’s the risin’/ It is the groundin’ of a foot uncompromisin’/ It’s not forgoin’ of the lie, It’s not the openin’ of eyes/ It’s not the wakin’, it’s the risin’,” (Hozier 2019)
- This song highlights the importance of protest music in social movements across the 20th Century. Hozier
- “This song was intended as a thank you note to the spirit and legacy of protest; to the artists who imbued their work with the vigour of dissent, and a reflection on the importance of that tradition in the context of the rights, and lives, we enjoy today,” (Hozier n.d.)
- This is from the hozier website
- “This song was intended as a thank you note to the spirit and legacy of protest; to the artists who imbued their work with the vigour of dissent, and a reflection on the importance of that tradition in the context of the rights, and lives, we enjoy today,” (Hozier n.d.)
- This song highlights the importance of protest music in social movements across the 20th Century. Hozier
- “It’s not the wall, but what’s behind it/ Oh, the fear of fellow men is near assignment/ And everything that we’re denied/ By keepin’ the divide/ It’s not the wakin’, it’s the risin’,” (Hozier 2019)
- “It’s not the song, it is the singin’/ It’s the heaven of the human spirit ringin’/ It is the bringin’ of the line/ It is the bearin’ of the rhyme/ It’s not the wakin’, it’s the risin’,” (Hozier 2019)
- This line specifically relates to the idea of how music can bring people together. The line referencing “the human spirit ringin’” shows the importance of song in human expression, and the later mention of “it’s not the wakin’ it’s the risin’” shows the unification music can bring to a group of people.
Q on CBC Interview:
- “Music is political, no matter what. No matter what it’s about… if something concerns the experience of people, it concerns some political dimension,” (Q on CBC, 2018)
- “I’m a firm believer in writing the music you wish other people were writing,” (Q on CBC, 2018)
- “Solidarity costs nothing,” (Q on CBC, 2018)