This song finds Win Butler paying tribute to the French historical heroine, Joan Of Arc (1412-1431). The daughter of a peasant, the Maid Of Orleans was directed by heavenly voices to deliver her country, who were undergoing the ravages of the Hundred Years War. Donning male dress, she inspired the French army in the relief of Orleans, defeated the English at Patay and advanced to Rheims. However, she failed to capture Paris and was captured by the Burgundians, who sold her to the English. The saintly peasant was condemned to death and burned at the stake for charges of witchcraft.
The story of Joan of Arc is fertile ground for songwriting - OMD ("Joan of Arc," "Maid Of Orleans (The Waltz Joan Of Arc)"), The Smiths "Bigmouth Strikes Again), " Florence + The Machine ("Only If for A Night"), Kate Bush (Joanni"), Leonard Cohen ("Joan Of Arc") and even Cradle Of Filth ("The Death of Love") have all sung of the medieval French heroine.
Win Butler commented to NME: "'Joan Of Arc' is the most medieval-sounding thing, we've done, with the weird harmonies. It's always a weird mash-up with our band."
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