Josh Ritter - The Curse

[@StygianPyre]

Josh Ritter, in an interview explained it, as how when someone who hasn't had their heart broken finds someone who had just been heart broken. And so as the unbroken (woman) brings love and life back to the broken (mummy), her love (and literal heart) makes him feel good again. So as he is brought back to life, he doesn't return her love so she is instead now broken, as he heals. He then goes off to win back his lost love, while she stays behind heart broken as she gave her heart to him, and he used it selfishly. The metaphor for pyramid is explained as it attracts people to find what is beneath like a broken person attracts kind hearted people to fix them.

[@Regimeshifts]

+Stygian Pyre Wow, intense explanation.

[@StygianPyre]

Yea it's a fucking awesome song

[@danielschwarz8711]

+Stygian Pyre Thanks for sharing this. I've listened to this song countless times and this adds so much more dimension to it.

[@StygianPyre]

Daniel Schwarz Yea, same for me after I read the interview.

[@matthewknotts818]

Thank you for sharing..

[@stormywerner9601]

Randomly remembered this song 13 years later. Still makes me cry

[@HomerIdaho]

THE saddest song I've ever heard. First one to actually get me teary-eyed and I generally cry for nothing. Not at funerals, not when visiting hospitals, not when receiving bad news. Josh Ritter is an exceptionally talented songwriter.

[@jamiavernette8457]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. This is the SADDEST song I've ever heard.

[@jonathansimmons7808]

Have you heard Another New World? That's another Ritter song that is SO sad. And SO GOOD.

[@ann-kayapollon3883]

Same

[@TheNitendoDude]

I am a 8th grader. We read the poem in class. And we talked about what we thought and stuff. We ended up having a debate about who he was, who the girl was, and everything. It was awsome because we found out he was a mummy and the girls traits like if she was an worker at a museum or a curator. Every one participated. This poem is a great thing to talk about in class. We watched the music video (this). And every one felt so smart. Alot of people liked the song after. Great song!!!!!!

[@starspangledhiker]

The fact that the Nintendo dude is probably 23 or 24 now is wild. Hope you're doing well man!

[@marklion315]

What do you think of the song now nintendo dude

[@TheNitendoDude]

OMG HI GUYS! I am 24 years old now. Just graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. I still remember this video! Haha. It's still so interesting omg. Thanks for the support!

[@sarilka1]

@@TheNitendoDude Neat! Congrats on graduating. Good luck in your career. I remember "songs as poetry" from grade school as well, so perhaps you'll be able to use some song or another to reach your students.

[@MarseillesVanPopta]

@@TheNitendoDude Congrats! this is by far one of my favorite songs from him too. I was gonna ask how you were doing too. :]

[@jjunglas]

This is one of the few songs ever that I can listen to no matter what mood I'm in, and will never skip past. It is just so... perfect.

[@RochaRules]

I only listen to this song because if your comment and this song is a masterpiece. Amazing guy

[@snoozing68]

It's a great song and I really enjoyed the video. Thanks 🖐😉

[@matthewknotts7003]

An old friend of mine showed me this song many years ago. He over dosed last year. Any time I hear this now I shed a tear..

[@stickyfruutloops]

@@matthewknotts7003 I’m really sorry to hear that. This song has serious emotional and nostalgic ties for me as well and it’s the reason I’m here too

[@69kumquat]

This is the saddest and most beautiful song I think I have ever heard. It made me cry.

[@janedoe630]

He is like a young BOB DYLAN , superior story teller. Wow. :)

[@84bucco]

I feel the same way, reminds me of a love had to say goodbye to

[@jaqueitch]

Absolutely... Unfortunately, most people just don't get it - threy think I'm odd

[@1996mjones]

Temptation of Adam by Josh Ritter haunts me

[@vitothepizzaguy7475]

Josh Ritter is the best poet I've ever heard

[@theplanetruth]

This Song Gets Me Every Single Time

[@DoroRoger]

It´s raining teardrops....so sad and beautiful.

[@andyrooireland]

this is a masterclass in storytelling, a fragment of a mind that is, imaginative, soulfull, and heartfelt. a beautiful song that will be missed by most but should be heard by all.

[@fohakhalid9375]

I've read several explanations for this but to me it will always remind me of a mother's relation with her child. He learns from her, he starts to speak her language, he takes life from he and loves her above everyone else . Eventually the tables turn and he begins to correct her instead, support her instead; she grows old and becomes a burden to him.

[@celebratedend]

you gemini?

[@123redviness]

we watched this in my english class, and I fell in love with it. Most people laughed at it- but I think it is beautiful

[@roosell793]

You had an awesome teacher!

[@RustyLongPipe]

@@roosell793 I will second that

[@bsphill82]

People might make fun of it, but I heard it very young and fell in love with it.

[@reddwing4368]

I first listened to this a broken older man It is so very beautiful And absolutely true You can choose life But life will always choose you In it's lonely trifles

[@wiliamandrews]

Not enough songs out there like this one. Beautiful story.

[@jayeckstein7831]

As others have said, this is about a mummy, but it's also not. It's every love story. And it's mine. I met my wife 25 years ago "what a face to wake up to"! After dating for just a few weeks she had a medical episode and was diagnosed with MS. Not too intrusive at first but then it really took hold. As the song says, "She is using a cane, and her face looks too pale, but she's happy to see him, as they walk he supports her...then one day her heart stops its beating." This was our love story, as my wife passed just 8 months ago. Such a beautifully sad song.

[@graceperez5620]

Sorry for your loss

[@GlupStanko]

This song is honestly one of my new favorites. It's honestly so poetic and beautiful.

[@shadesketch9572]

He was using her for the whole story. Josh Ritter said in an interview that, though the Mummy did feel love in his life, he was ultimately using her to pass on the curse that the song’s title is referring to. Near the end of the song, these lines go by: “Long ago on the ship, she asked "Why pyramids?" He said "Think of them as an immense invitation" She asks "Are you cursed?" He says "I think that I'm cured" Then he kissed her and hoped that she'd forget that question” When they kiss, the curse passes on. The reference to pyramids being an invitation as well as the coffin at the end shows that this was destined for her. The two most important parts of this are one, when he says he’s cured after they kiss, curing him of the curse but cursing/ passing on the curse to the woman in the process. The second part is when he hopes she will forget question about him being cursed. She doesn’t want her to know or suspect that she’s being cursed so that her destiny can be fulfilled.

[@Bigger-Than-Jesus]

Shade Sketch I feel the curse is the fact that she will die and he will go on without her eternally

[@rogercline5377]

Nothing ends, Adrian. Nothing ever ends.

[@mondesoublies]

@@Bigger-Than-Jesus I was feeling like the same way. We first think this is a curse but when you listen back to the song you think maybe it's just life. We may never know.

[@sarahnewcombe4336]

wow

[@sarahnewcombe4336]

@@Bigger-Than-Jesus double edged sword..

[@moshaol93]

After 3 years of listening to this song daily, it still moves me and brings me to tears .Even more so now that I understand it!

[@itgetter9]

I want to know, 11 years later, what happened to the person who listened to this song every day for 3 years. If you are out there and you see this comment, please report back and share your journey! Thanks

[@PAWiley]

Still brings tears to my eyes, and what an extraordinary job done with the video and puppetry and sets. Absolutely in love with it all.

[@shawnmulligan2894]

My dad put this on our Halloween mix tape CD back in 2010 just for kicks (and since the lyrics are about a mummy), and it has since become one of my dad and I's favorite songs. We don't share a whole lot (disagree about a lot of things) and have had some rough times, but ironically, this song about the dissolution of a connection between two people, will always be a connecting piece between us. I'll always cry when I hear this song.

[@BronsonsUkLive]

This is so deep, so clever, both the song and the video. Love it.

[@tatejackson8451]

Normally stuff on the internet gets a lot of hate, it's great to see people bonding over a love of music like this,the song captured me as well a couple of years ago,came back to hear the symphonies again, I was not at all disappointed

[@stickyfruutloops]

This song is 100% a hidden gem

[@davidmckee6968]

Ritter is a poet with an enormous imagination - brilliant

[@dianescotter8089]

Definitely poetry,with dancing too.....guess I'm just an old romantic 💗x

[@brendanquinn5804]

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONGS EVER WRITTEN

[@lazymike07]

So many subtle messages in this song. So beautiful!

[@dougskriver6216]

Puts a tear in my eye each time, love is so fleeting.

[@carlintripp]

Let's not forget to mention the incredible piano work of Sam Kassirer on this one!

[@djfritz2001]

If it helps, the coffin she finds him in has a picture of herself on it. He was her destiny. Then at the end he places HER into the same coffin, with the brass horn that she will play for him in the next life, when he finds her.

[@djfritz2001]

Long ago on a ship she asked 'why pyramids?' He said 'Think of them as an immense invitation' It was so she could find him :)

[@dougskriver6216]

djfritz2001 You should watch the interview on Q, and he does it live, they talk all about it.

[@coleycole1029]

The video and song made me cry. Then your comment made me cry more.

[@hotfightinghistory9224]

Oh my god..... just..... wow. So the curse / gift spans their entire existence, not just one life.

[@AntoNio-rz1kw]

Oh my god, this is so wonderful! How can someone write such words, such lyrics for a 5 Minute song? However-MASTERPIECE!

[@earthtrotterjones7835]

I randomly ran across this over internet radio based on other music I listen to. This song grabbed a hold of me in the first few cords...what a hauntingly beautiful creation...then I was looking for a lyric video and found literally the most perfect artistry of this song that could of ever been done. I have listened to this and read everyone’s take on the meaning. Obsessed and can’t seem to stop yet. Just beautiful and tragic at the same time. Art at its best.

[@michaelschranz8640]

I love songs that you hear for the first time and they just grab you and suck you in. This is one of them. Great song

[@amandak4148]

Michael Schranz this happened to me driving from the south to Indiana. When I first heard it, I repeated the song and over again.

[@robertduffy8343]

Michael. I saw him in Pittsburgh with my sister on Wednesday and like you, I was blown away at hearing this song for the first time. This is an amazing poetic song. Would be a wonderful song for the the younger generation to analyze and as well older students as well. Amazing.

[@kelliemelodie]

Josh Ritter never ceases to amaze me... An incredible lyricist, a fabulous artist, and a wholesomely good person.

[@patrickbrowning5059]

Josh Ritter is one of the best ballad writers today...try The Temptation of Adam if you like this one...

[@gregoryreese8491]

I will. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@bensteamroller6418]

An old gf of mine introduced me to Josh Ritter with The Temptation of Adam. I still love it.

[@stevieray56]

“For a song like this, the goal was to try and tell a full story. You try to leave something to the imagination but you can only leave so much. It was really important to get the character just right. The narrative was simple but I really wanted the character to have a serious interaction. The fact that he was a mummy was the funniest part.” - Josh Ritter “The Curse” can be found on the album So Runs The World Away, which takes its title from a Hamlet quote. That’s telling, because the song flows like iambic pentameter as Ritter sings over a lilting piano waltz. Some dreamy keyboards add atmosphere and a mournful trumpet makes an appearance late in the track. What could have been a fanciful story about a mummy falling for the archaeologist who digs him up after eons of slumber turns into an examination of the way some people use love as a springboard to a happier self, even if that means leaving behind the person who gave them the loving boost in the first place. As the song progresses, the mummy slowly returns to humanity through the beneficence of her affection and attracts hordes of outsiders who are amazed at his transformation. By contrast, the archaeologist seems to age prematurely as he drifts apart from her, until she essentially becomes mummified at the end in a tragic turnabout. Hiding between the lines yet evident in Ritter’s wistful vocal is a sad commentary on how the best intentions of love are often undercut by the fickleness of human nature. The mummy’s “dried fig” of a heart is reanimated by the girl’s attention, and the romance in the beginning is undeniably pure: “The days quickly pass, he loves making her laugh/ The first time he moves it’s her hair that he touches/ She asks, ‘Are you cursed?’ he says, ‘I think that I’m cured.’” When she asks that question a second time in the song, he has already started to move beyond the cocoon of their initial bond to bask in the attention of the wider world. As a result, she can’t even hear his answer. The transformation is complete soon after: “He gets out of limos he meets other women/ He speaks of her fondly their nights in the museum/ But she’s just one more rag now he’s dragging behind him.” Her heart is now the “dried fig.” The final verse returns us to the couple’s happier times in the museum, when he explained to her, in a bit of foreshadowing that she overlooked in the bloom of new love, that his pyramid was in essence the bait to lure her. Josh Ritter’s inventive, enchanting song makes it clear that “The Curse” of the mummy actually did exist, and that the archaeologist discovered too late that it was always meant to be visited upon her.

[@rebeccahindwoods9909]

This song reminds me so much bof a relationship I had 💔💔

[@einarjimenez5051]

Such a lovely story, it seems like a tribute for those who give their lives to history and research ... the dream of reanimating the history by the fact of telling ...

[@jamesaburke7]

Every time I watch this video my eyes tear up. A beautiful tune, with sad, and poignant lyrics, it's probably my favorite Josh Ritter song.

[@xyoutubearchivex]

How is this not an academy award winning movie? I bawl every time. So good!

[@tlynnbegay]

My high school science teacher directed me to this video years ago. I only listened to him because he said he shared a sandwich with Josh Ritter outside a venue in Seattle. I'm so glad I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Still my favorite video.

[@vapidity8140]

this is so gorgeous. Genuinely poetic and so original.

[@pianoderm]

Amazing ... heartbreaking... beautiful song and video

[@hotfightinghistory9224]

Fractal Beauty. Where no matter what scale you look at it, its just as beautiful. Every piece of this song is so beautiful it hurts. Every note.

[@sydneygolba3574]

This song makes me sob whenever I hear it, no matter where I am- absolutely beautiful

[@kinkammomable]

From the moment, a few years ago, that I heard this song, I was immediately drawn to it. Then to watch the video and get all the feels...it’s so beautiful. I’ll never stop loving this and the meaning behind it ❤️

[@SuperBredin]

i sit here at my computer trying to find words to explain my love for this song , but i am speechless , josh ritter i have loved you for so long , but i can honestly say , this time you have made me utterly speechless ! :')

[@Gaylord69420]

Hey. U still here?

[@ryan82scott]

Obviously, the best collection of comments on KZbin.

[@brown08pgse0912]

this song always make me cry and it makes me thank god so much for my amazing wife.

[@saxophonejones6675]

I remember going to see this live when I was little and I thought this song was just so beautiful. I'm glad I re discovered your music

[@tonysmith4918]

Amazing song. Extraordinary video. Love it!

[@Sulis90]

.........me encanta es simplemente precioso...

[@obsidianice7776]

Ooh, that was unexpected! Quite the twist on the whole "True Love's First Kiss," trope! Loved it.

[@marytaylor5594]

My ex husband and I were together for 22 years. We often argued about this song. He always said it was the most beautiful song ever made. I said it wasn't. Hindsight is definitely 20/ 20.

[@zeevon9]

Simply beautiful, both the song and the video, I thoroughly enjoyed the two.

[@quaintsquawk4033]

My friend showed me this song in the car on a recent road trip and it's so beautiful I love it so much

[@calebfritel]

This guy is absolutely brilliant.

[@rich836]

For my money one of the greatest songs ever written

[@diezrosales]

This is the most beautiful music video I've seen in a long long time. THANK YOU. The album is pretty amazing too!

[@Mike_Anonymous]

Ah, fuck it. After watching Seymour wait for Fry, I decided I'll cry whenever I damn well please.

[@roddypiper2940]

Poor Seymour, he waited all those years for Fry and in the end they never reunited 😢

[@tomace1748]

absolutely beautiful song

[@matthewchambers-sinclair8772]

Have never made it through without at least 1 teardrop. COVID relatable-inevitability-comfort found here

[@RunAmok86]

This breaks my heart but I can't stop watching it

[@RedHotMammaJen]

Thank you for this song Josh Ritter and band. Just... Thank you.

[@Imalexzander]

Imagine having a man that loved you with all he had and more, sing this to you without you ever hearing this, and then you realise you now relate to her more than you ever thought you would.

[@gabrielleelaine4093]

i heard this song during vespers at the camp i attend, i love it so much

[@HarryMason_85]

I love the song but ADORE the video. To me it defines the art of making a film to already existing music.

[@FirstorDirt]

One of the most Beautiful songs that not everyone knows.It makes me cry too

[@mikevaughanmusic]

@MrsHouseTakeNewVegas I agree :-D The song alone is so beautiful and moving, but coupled with this stunningly powerful video-WOW!!!! :-D I'm not embarrassed to admit that I too shed a tear.

[@vazmo14850]

i have only Just heard this for the first time on a local radio station.so sad and so beautiful and completely unforgettable!!

[@wynkelly1389]

What a haunting song! Makes me wanna cry!

[@dianescotter8089]

Love this found it randomly many years ago but still feels like yesterday ❤️x

[@dianaf9997]

This is eye watering, so touching!!!!!! love it

[@jackieau123]

It's not that he wanted to take her life away from her, but he loved her and accidentally did this to her. The curse is that he has to live forever while his one true love has died...

[@alanasecrets7]

Jackie Au that's not the curse

[@austing.998]

The first time I heard this was at my school everyone was shedding a tear,I may be a tough guy but this song is touching

[@zaydlogan882]

PlagueDoctorYolo same

[@Ms.BrandTeachesArt]

This is my 3 year old's new favorite music video. Supplanting Elmo I think. So glad we can share a love of Josh Ritter's music.

[@Gaylord69420]

Hey. Just to remind you of this song

[@ruthdiazguio201]

Simplemente ...preciosa..Nunca me cansare de escucharla.

[@10java]

Absolutely beautiful. Well done. Thanks Q

[@liselottelola]

Sad and yet beautiful. Great work, compliments to both - the musician as well as the master of puppets

[@barrryrocket]

This is such a lovely song, easy liestening absolutely beautiful.

[@bellgravia]

It's lovely, really. I didn't think I would cry but the end got me.

[@adleach21]

Bravo! I heard Josh interviewed on CBC's 'Q' and couldn't wait to find this video. Congratulations to all who accommplished thia amazing art.

[@echo2046]

This is a good and heartwarming song

[@jeffreyschnoldt5388]

Interesting song and video. Twisted upon many many levels

[@Lollicat122345]

Most beautiful thing I've ever seen~if I can have someone that loves me so much I won't mind waiting thousands of years...

[@KennyPowers23]

What kind of person dislikes this video...? This video is amazing, and the song exceeds all expectations of humanity.

I shared this vid to an ex of mine Valentine's Day 2013. She's Egyptian and I Dominican. I told her I saw her as the mummy and myself the archaeologist. She melted and cried and healed and felt she was understood, as an archaeologist understands, for the love of reading. I still hold this video in my heart. I

[@nhojewoh]

Beautiful video!!! Beautiful song!!

[@rigohernandez3039]

I remember I saw this video two years ago back in seventh grade in my English class and at the time I didn't understand the lyrics nor did I appreciate the art of the song/video, but now that I look back at, I find it more beautiful than before. This reminds me of seventh grade (which was a really good year) so it also makes me sad. Lovely video and song though.

[@jacobcrim8151]

Rigo Hernandez hey we are studying this in seventh grade too what school did you go too?

[@XxxXxx-fu4pu]

7th grade? My teacher showed me this in the 6th grade..

[@rigohernandez3039]

Xxx Xxx Every school works at a different pace. :)

[@canttouchthisgrizzlebear7149]

I learned it in eight

[@gremmie8843]

Rigo Hernandez We had to find out what it was about and I guessed it was a mummy! HA I guessed it was a mummy who cursed her on accident, and ended up turning her into a mummy.

[@IbadAFulaylee]

One of my favourite videography work, this is. My favourite part is the short sequence starting at 03:04; portraying the dynamics of a couple going through such a phase.

[@Regimeshifts]

A friend sent me this song and I cant seem to stay away. Its so intense

[@francisomalley783]

Just noticed the writing in the book are the lyrics to the song.

[@dougskriver6216]

Yep, and if you look at the coffin, her hair has the same white stripes as the outside of it.

[@bmfc1000]

Very nice work. Ritter is fantastic.

[@redcoyote22]

They genuinely loved each other. She built him up to be what he became and then he "outgrew" her. She couldn't handle his being put on display. It changed their relationship and it killed what they had. Her heart grew old and stopped beating because she couldn't take his moving on.

[@capitalizedletters4074]

My art teacher just showed this to me and I am thankful for that.

[@alorabryan9122]

beautiful, just beautiful

[@TenSuns1914]

Soooooooooo beautiful. will always be a top ten for me, so pure.

[@robertbard9627]

This is an amazingly beautiful song, haunting. The lyrics, the music, the video...brilliant !!! I hope he plays it in Northampton on 5/10, I will be there SOOOOO happily...Josh is THE best singer/songwriter on the planet right now, imo.

[@savannahwhalen8954]

So beautiful..

[@boden54]

Best song ever! The puppet idea was brilliant!

[@BarneyMaroon]

Brilliant video. Thank you.

[@KirbiesandYoshies]

Amazing animation and a beautiful song to boot!

[@Mike_Anonymous]

You're all right. The song is about what you want it to be. I figured after so many artists and authors saying "... open to interpretation... " I thought people would figure it out by now.