Ireland’s State noted that the video echoes the wave of violence currently plaguing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Russia. Hozier told Slate…

“The video references the recent increase of organised attacks and torturing of homosexuals in Russia, which is subsequent to a long, hateful, and oppressive political campaign against the LGBT community.

The song was always about humanity at it’s most natural and how that is undermined ceaselessly by religious organisations and those who would have us believe they act in it’s interests. What has been seen growing in Russia is no less than nightmarish.”