Song for the Day : Hozier and Mavis Staples - Nina Cried Power

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Originally released in September  2018,  the remarkable "Nina Cried Power,"by Hozier. the Irish-born, indie-folk singer who came to fame with "Take Me too Church" (his  ripping condemnation of homophobia in religious organizations in 2014 ) could not feel more relevant, an anthem of resistance and strength in an increasingly tumultuous time.
The song honors the legacy of musicians and activists who made protest songs part of their repertoire. The iconic artists mentioned in the track's lyrics include the song's namesake Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, James Brown,Woody Guthrie, Billy Holiday and Curtis Mayfield, among others who all fought for something they believed in through music, whether it was clean water, equality or peace.. Hozier told Rolling Stone: "The fights that took place 100 years ago or 200 years ago for whatever - civil rights or workers' right etc. - don't stop. There is no final victory."
Hozier’s appreciation for the work of Black musicians shapes the entire track, including the lyrics, the gospel-inspired chorus and, most importantly, the involvement of a prominent civil rights singer, Mavis Staples,  whose voice blends seamlessly and soulfully with Hozier’s, their harmonies highlighting and giving way to one another.  Although known for his poignant lyricism, here Hozier opts for a simple yet rousing chorus in which he and Staples cry the word “power” — a tribute to Simone’s song “Sinnerman."In an interview with The Guardian, Hozier said that from a very young  age, he used to listen to Nina Simone's albums  before going to sleep and therefore he greatly admires African-American music.
Hozier’s efforts to give credit and recognition to these singers goes beyond the track itself. In the same Billboard interview, Hozier had no reservations about addressing the appropriation of rock music. “There is absolutely no rock and roll without blues music,” he said. “There is no blues music without one of the most horrendous atrocities of human trafficking in the last few centuries. It is, of course, a really difficult subject. Everything that’s popular music swings off the work and the achievements and the legacy of Black artistry.” By opening up these types of conversations about race, Hozier presents the music world with an important example of how to appreciate, rather than appropriate, art forms created by people of color.
Moreover, when considering today’s political and artistic climate, “Nina Cried Power” has even wider implications. A song like this along with the legacy of all the great Black artists that it honors, serves to remind us that art is never just art. Everything that we choose to read and watch and listen to carries a message with it, and those messages have a profound impact on our society. Art is power, as the song’s title suggests..Music can be used to provoke and empower people to become bold enough to fight against forces much greater than themselves. Unlike so many great promoters of peace, social justice and equality, many musicians are blessed with the fact that millions of people are listening to their songs, since their work  is so easily accessible via social networking and platforms like youtube, bandcamp and spotify. With that much influence, it only seems logical that they would choose to write about something worthwhile.
Before the release of ' Nina Cried Power', Hozier posted a message to his Facebook page told his fans that it's about "crediting the spirit and bravery of people whose voices have made impact on our world..."The video is a collection of Irish activists all with very amazing legacy’s and features them listening to the song for the first time. It's simply quite moving.In this defiant song  Hozier and Staples have challenged us as artists and as consumers to follow the lead of Dylan and Curtis, of Holiday and Woody, and of Simone,  they have challenged us to use our voices and to cry power, whilst highlighting all the ways music is a force to be reckoned with when we put actions to words.
Considering the mess that the world is right now, we definitely still need the push of inspiration and encouragement that comes from song, Whilst injustices continue to be challenged, and  people unequivocally stand in solidarity with Black communites in their fight for justice,with unprecedented sense of urgency, and it is our duty  to play are part in the protection of Black lives and all others facing ongoing oppression. People have the power, their is power in music and song that we can use to rally one another and help keep us strong. This music  is blowing across all continents, and the times are here for a changing.

Nina Cried Power- Hozier and 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 cast in
It's the light and 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 lie
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, 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 man, it's mere assignment
And everything that we're denied
By keeping the divide
It's not the waking, it's the rising

And I could cry power (Power), power (Power)
Oh, power
Nina cried power
Lennon cried power
James Brown cried power
And I could cry (Power) power, (Power) power
Hey, power
B.B. 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 being 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