Take Me To Church

My lover's got humour She's the giggle at a funeral Knows everybody's disapproval I should've worshipped her sooner If the heavens ever did speak She's the last true mouthpiece Every Sunday's getting more bleak A fresh poison each week "We were born sick," you heard them say it My church offers no absolutes She tells me, "Worship in the bedroom" The only heaven I'll be sent to Is when I'm alone with you I was born sick But I love it Command me to be well Aaay. Amen. Amen. Amen Take me to church I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies I'll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife Offer me that deathless death Good God, let me give you my life Take me to church I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies I'll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife Offer me that deathless death Good God, let me give you my life If I'm a pagan of the good times My lover's the sunlight To keep the Goddess on my side She demands a sacrifice Drain the whole sea Get something shiny Something meaty for the main course That's a fine-looking high horse What you got in the stable? We've a lot of starving faithful That looks tasty That looks plenty This is hungry work Take me to church I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies I'll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife Offer me my deathless death Good God, let me give you my life Take me to church I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies I'll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife Offer me my deathless death Good God, let me give you my life No Masters or Kings When the Ritual begins There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene Only then I am human Only then I am clean Ooh oh. Amen. Amen. Amen Take me to church I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies I'll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife Offer me that deathless death Good God, let me give you my life Take me to church I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies I'll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife Offer me that deathless death Good God, let me give you my life

Composer: Andrew John Hozier-byrne

In-depth Analysis of 'Take Me To Church' by LyricLens AI

'Take Me To Church' by Hozier is a powerful and provocative commentary on organized religion, sexuality, and the human condition. Released in 2013, the song uses religious metaphors to depict a passionate, even sacred, love affair that stands in stark contrast to the perceived hypocrisy and rigidity of traditional religious institutions.

Central Themes:

Critique of Organized Religion: The lyrics openly challenge the doctrines and judgmental attitudes of some religious bodies, particularly their stance on sexuality. Lines like 'My church offers no absolutes' and 'We were born sick' highlight a rejection of inherent sin.
Love as a Sacred Act: Hozier elevates human love, particularly physical intimacy, to a spiritual experience. The bedroom becomes the 'only heaven' he'll be sent to, implying that true divinity and connection are found in genuine human bonds rather than in a church.
Devotion and Sacrifice: The chorus, 'I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies,' is a complex metaphor. It suggests a complete, almost desperate devotion to his lover, even if it means embracing a perceived 'lie' (perhaps the societal condemnation of their love) or facing 'deathless death' – a profound, transformative surrender.
Authenticity vs. Dogma: The song champions authenticity and raw human experience over restrictive religious dogma. The 'gentle sin' and 'madness and soil' are celebrated as the spaces where humanity and cleanliness are truly found.

Ultimately, 'Take Me To Church' is a passionate declaration of love and a defiant anthem for individual freedom, challenging listeners to find their own forms of worship and salvation.

Q&A & Fun Facts: 'Take Me To Church'

What is the main message of Hozier's 'Take Me To Church'?

The song primarily critiques organized religion's condemnation of sexuality and positions passionate human love as a sacred, authentic, and liberating spiritual experience, contrasting it with perceived religious hypocrisy.

What does "worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies" mean?

This provocative line implies an intense, almost unconditional devotion to the lover, even to the point of embracing what society or religion might deem 'lies' or 'sins.' The 'dog' imagery suggests a primal, uncritical loyalty, while 'shrine of your lies' refers to the beauty or truth the lover embodies, despite external judgments.

Is 'Take Me To Church' about homophobia?

Yes, while the song has broader themes, Hozier explicitly stated it was written in response to increasing anti-gay violence in Russia and globally. The music video also directly portrays a gay couple facing persecution, reinforcing this crucial aspect of its message.

Fun Facts:

'Take Me To Church' was originally released on Hozier's debut EP in 2013 before gaining massive global popularity.
The song's official music video, which depicts a same-sex couple facing a violent hate crime, played a significant role in its viral success and cultural impact.
It earned a Grammy Award nomination for Song of the Year at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.