"The Curse" by Josh Ritter (Video by Liam Hurley)

Puppeteer extraordinaire Liam Hurley (of The Royal City Band) conceived, directed and produced this mesmerizing vision set to Josh Ritter's song "The Curse."
Videography and editing by Marie Le Claire. Puppeteering by Liam Hurley and Kevin White. Production Assistant was MacKenzie Pause.
Read more about the making of this video NPR.org, here: www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/201...
Josh Ritter released his latest album, "So Runs the World Away," on May 4, 2010. Visit www.joshritter.com

[@asburytheo]

What's amazing is that you fall in love with the puppets because of the strings attached, not in spite of them.

[@earthtrotterjones7835]

I want to live in a world where this has a Billion views and people care to understand this beautiful tragic piece of art. Also, it took me many views of dissecting the video to finally notice that when she was layed into the coffin she then looked like the image on the outside of it since he met him including the cane. I spent the entire day and this morning listening to this could not get it out of my head, never even hear do Josh Ritter till now and it was an accident via internet random songs and i was hooked after just one set of cords in the beginning. Work of art....

[@dustinwatkins7843]

I couldn't agree more, had a similar thought while watching.

[@beemayhew]

I want to be friends with you ❤

[@GuybThreepwood]

There is love in this piece. If you've ever been in love, you know that you'll abandon all propriety to be with a person. He knows that's he's passing on the curse to her, but he also recognizes that the bond they have makes it worth the short time they'll have together. Love now, regret later.

[@xyoutubearchivex]

This should be an academy award winning movie. I literally cry every time. So amazing.

[@BrockMaraeeRohloff]

Great song. Perceive it as you will, in light or dark. I for one will always hear a tortured love story. Honestly, the only difference between the 'immortality' perspective and the 'predator' perspective is the length of time across which you believe the story takes.

[@zombierobot8769]

Thank God I'll get to play this on a college radio. Looking for a mummy themed song brought me here. Simply beautiful and odd this song is.

[@sophiaetka22]

My English teacher showed us this today. He’s right, the symbolism in Josh Ritter’s music is absolutely phenomenal.

[@rmrob148]

i don't know how often you get any sort of commendation for this, but i first heard this song about 9 years ago and every once in a while ill listen to it and sometimes it makes me tear up. thank you for making something that moves people. i am envious of that creative ability.

[@jonathanlantzy7526]

Josh did this as an encore at a concert in Pittsburgh not too long ago. It was so silent and beautiful and I could not help but imagine this video along with it.

[@thenaabstrshow]

i don't think there's any1 who can sing this song better thn josh ritter, u can listen this song when ur sad, down, broken, miserable, depressed, sick,.... It'll make every problems at least a bit less worse :)

[@BeulahJane]

It's so sad. And so beautiful. Thank god things like this exist in this cruel foolish world.

[@cx6wieler]

I listen to this over and over and over and over again, And sometimes I Cry........

[@monkeysnaps]

This is so touching. when the mummy's eyes gleam at the end it alwasy makes me tear up for some reason.

[@franvierpt]

How of a genius you must be to make such masterpiece: write such poetry, then make such melody, and finally make such videoclip and intertwine it all to give goosebumps to everyone who has the privilege to watch it. Congratulations Josh Ritter!!

[@MikeSundy]

Makes me cry and gives me chills at the same time. Beautiful and moving. Have been haunted (in the best way) by this video for years. Bravo.

[@GuyMendilowEnsemble]

Once again, Mr. Ritter moves and impresses me. My hat's off. Wow.

[@Hawkthorn1]

my life is better with this in the world

[@hoboannie]

I listened to the song over and over...loved the story, then found this amazing, well-made video. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

[@evie5617]

this song will never get old :,)

[@amandabrooke4555]

So in love with this song. It's so heartbreaking!

[@hxtourv1]

i flippin love this song

[@teerocks2]

I heard it on NPR and loved the feeling of it, indeed, it is a touching story and marvelous melody! wonderful work!

[@TheWebsinner]

what a way to make a video to fit a song. well done to all concerned.

[@adnelga]

heart warming and heart breaking--I watch and listen over and over for both impacts

[@gary1878]

Truly amazing. The most gripping song I've ever heard. Thank you, Josh.

[@noibns]

I have never heard of Josh Ritter until a few days ago, and have never listened to his music until I saw this video on Bravo. I like the song and the video. I will surely check out more of his works.

[@louiseniriain]

Back here again cant stop listening to this

[@CAMPFIRESKY]

Just heard an interview with Josh in Canada (via the front loader dot com) and heard that LIAM put this video together. Had to come back and watch it again. BRILLIANT piece of work! BRILLIANT song!

[@jamesschaffer6728]

I have seen Josh 4 times.Last in 2009,need to see again.Schaff

[@islandnemo1317]

In May 2017 my best friend sent me this song and asked me to transpose it. I loved the song, and did transpose it for him. He was recovering from dependency issues. I felt i understood why it hit a chord with him. I responded with how the music was simple, and trophic, but beautiful. Nothing else. He said "I love you", and i never responded. The next morning i found out he had relapsed that night, and had unintentionally injected a massive amount of fentanyl, and died instantly. I've never forgiven myself for not responding to someone I cared about so much, and also I've never stopped listening to the song every few months. The song really is a summation of emotion. And despite how hard it is a wonderful reminder.

[@GuanderGuoman]

Last night I went to a Josh Ritter's show and it was beautiful--full of energy and passion for what he does. I didn't know much of his music before last night and this was definitely one of my favorite songs. Reminds me of the story of genuine love told in Jewel's "Painters".

[@theestever]

New to this song, and Josh's work in general (love Change Of Time), but this video - and the song - beautiful and brilliant.

[@sanjaynijran]

I hate people, I hate people who try, but this is fantastic, really beauiful. Literal, yes, but something simply, innocent and fantastically belonging. Song. video. Ritter. Life. Death.

[@kajsaandersson4516]

this deserves so many more views.

[@GraveDirectionswithSugerkat]

you are a silly goose if you ever pass up a chance to see Josh live, you will never see a more entertaining, interactive show! I saw him on 5-13 in Atlanta and had the chance to meet him and chat with him for about 10 mins. they come no better than Josh (and Josh hugs are the best hugs on earth)....Dawn Landes, his wife, was with him and she is also a fantastic artist in her own right.

[@drummerboyrocks]

simply sublime.....stunning work :o)

[@slaytonj5]

i've cried to many times and each time it touches me

[@123seanieb]

How can you dislike this?!

[@gailwilson6730]

Beautiful song and wonderful video. I'm afraid it brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. Must be getting soppy in my old age!

[@freeyourmindtc]

Your allowed, you've earned it. I cry in public without fear. Crying is cathodic, it lets you bleed out your emotions that can build up in us all. 65, and proud of it. peace to you and your family.

[@Jspenx]

i love the little led in mummys heart...funny and soul touching..:)

[@Vexadoodle]

Addiction

[@nightdarkstar]

absolutely beautiful, have had this on repeat all day. very touching indeed.

[@PazContigo]

When art meets art! Simply beautiful. Perfect video for this unique song! P.S.: The dancing scenes are incredible!

[@alliemariesky]

This song makes me cry

[@goneatlast]

Beautiful song, beautiful video: Thank you.

[@333tdaddy]

It's been a while since I've seen such a great and original video. Good Job!

[@joshahlstrand]

beautiful music as always - endearing video thanks so much

[@livecapture]

thanks to Bravo, I was introduced to this magical collaboration. It reaches inside, and pulls on the heartstrings, and leaves me feeling very touched. thank you so much for doing what you do.

[@roseartlefty]

One word......AWESOME! What a writer/poet! Wow!

[@lennycohenfan]

"She's just one more rag he's dragging behind him." Wow.

[@GuyMendilowEnsemble]

And I have to say - though I've never heard Mr. Hurley play the drums - if he is as good at the kit as he is with the puppets, well...damn! Most gifted, and thanks for the gift (of this video)

[@ashishsharma3049]

This deserves a million views!!

[@LindenWilcock]

Best video on KZbin.

[@WallsTV]

That was such an awesome video, spectacular, perfect for the song! You made me choke up and my wife cry! The entire new album So Runs The World Away is so good. Thank you for doing what you do!

[@esapvia]

omfg that was awesome good job man

[@brandiediss]

well, this is beautiful.

[@dwilson94]

I agree with PazContigo - When art meets art! The song is so beautiful, I love the music, lyrics etc everything. The puppetry and the video is so wonderful. So delightful to watch and listen.

[@mbittar]

a-mazing.

[@realistpainter]

Wow Wow Wow.. Liam Hurley you talented man

[@mbody212]

can't stop watching!

[@davidp44022]

What a wonderful video! My daughter loves the song and this makes it even more special. I hope you can get more exposure for this, everybody should see it!

[@1210Norah]

This song is so sad but so beautiful

[@evealahin7483]

😭😭😭so emotional... I think am cured

[@reedbej4822]

When someone said you made music videos, I had no idea they were like this. This is amazing

[@richandemily]

This video is really quite lovely! I thoroughly enjoyed it!! Kudos to you for such beautiful work!

[@kobuto69]

Beautiful

[@TheFlowerGirl13]

Beautiful video. So touching.

[@MissBobbyMcGee77]

That was awesome great job filming Liam!

[@JackWestrop]

this is sooo good

[@KevinMurphy01]

absolutely gorgeous

[@eldobledee]

A song that is as eternal as love.

[@musicqueen05]

Love this song and the video is fab!!! Great work =)

[@jamesrobertson9761]

Dude, I only found this album a few months ago. So so good. Thank You my man.

[@jojoeblev10]

Felt the same the 1st time I listened and the video confirms...good catch and thanks for sharing!

[@MikeMirarchi]

This is such a phenomenal song and such a phenomenal video! The brilliance of both song and video truly dazzles! It's so cool how expressive the puppets can be even though they don't have facial expressions -- so much emotion can be communicated through just gestures and postures. Amazing stuff all around! Josh and Liam are both geniuses!

[@5370salty]

beautiful song and story.

[@MyCatInABox]

Tuggs on your heart strings (pardon the pun).

[@chipfoos8]

Very impressive. Nice Work

[@ColetteNoir]

I love it

[@dieuuha]

This deserves so many more views than it has ;__;

[@theubercaste]

Dry fig of his/her heart Brilliant

[@GraveDirectionswithSugerkat]

liam you are amazing!

[@imissnepal]

You are great!

[@Abracadabrad]

That's an interesting interpretation. My take was more literal. That he is indeed cursed to live forever, while she is merely mortal. He will continue and she will fade.

[@SunshineState12]

crying.

[@thegazfella]

mmmmmmmm......i love it

[@liam1253]

Very cool

[@artsyfartsy1998]

So... SAD! I love it though...

[@gunslinger713]

Pure win

[@Soverane]

Okay, now I'm fucking crying, Josh. You've made a grown man burst into tears, are you done?)

[@xyzllii]

Great puppetry...

[@USS-SNAKE-ISLAND]

Indeed.

[@Diabolicalism]

His curse is hes absorbing here life.

[@plantemor]

I love that I had to update the browser almost 10 times before the shitty unskippable ads stopped showing up.

[@hoboannie]

@Liiivemau5 Missed it the first time. You are so right! Good catch!

[@burcharg]

thank you for this... i wish you didn't zoom in on every shot but it's still awesome

[@wallykav1516]

@Uzzie101 Im with you on that one,this is my first time to hear him,amazing.

[@reddwing4368]

I don t care what anyone says the Mummy loved her No curse No cure Just love she saved him from eternity In a box Quickened him With love and saved his life True love

[@hollyzabriskie1699]

I think that is beautiful music and sad that The girl died

[@luigidigi]

bellissimo

[@marcusarilus]

He opens his eyes, falls in love at first sight With the girl in the doorway What beautiful lines, how full of life After thousands of years what a face to wake up to He holds back a sigh as she touches his arm She dusts off the bed where till now he's been sleeping Under miles of stone, the dried fig of his heart Under scarab and bone starts back to its beating She carries him home in a beautiful boat He watches the sea from a porthole in stowage He can hear all she says as she sits by his bed Then one day his lips answer her in her own language 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" Then he talks of the Nile and the girls in bull rushes In New York he is laid in a glass-covered case He pretends he is dead, people crowd round to see him But each night she comes round, and the two wander down The halls of the tomb that she calls a museum Often he stops to rest, but then less and less Then it's her that looks tired, staying up asking questions He learns how to read from the papers that she Is writing about him and he makes corrections It's his face on her book and more and more come to look Families from Iowa, upper West-siders Then one day it's too much, he decides to get up And as chaos ensues, he walks outside to find her She's using a cane, and her face looks too pale But she's happy to see him, as they walk he supports her She asks "Are you cursed?" but his answer's obscured In a sandstorm of flashbulbs and rowdy reporters Such reanimation, the two tour the nation 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 She stops going out, she just lies there in bed In hotels in whatever towns they are speaking Then her face starts to set and her hands start to fold And one day the dry fig of her heart stops its beating 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