Hozier brought a touch of Irish Christmas magic to Saturday Night Live’s 50th season finale, performing a poignant rendition of the Pogues classic “Fairytale of New York.” The performance on December 21st was a significant moment, not only as a conclusion to the milestone season, but also because it coincided with the anniversary of Kirsty MacColl’s death and just days before Shane MacGowan’s 67th birthday.

The iconic ballad, originally sung by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, has been a Christmas favorite for decades. Hozier’s version on the SNL stage honored his legacy while adapting some controversial lyrics. Words like “bitch” and “faggot,” which have sparked debate in recent years, were replaced with “witch” and “you’re emaciated” to make the performance more inclusive.

The song’s performance on SNL was of additional significance given the show’s close ties to New York City, the backdrop of the original title. The Irish singer’s emotional performance was well received by the audience, mixing nostalgia with jubilation and closing the finale on a meaningful note.

Hosted by Martin Short, the episode featured a star-studded line-up of guest appearances including Paul Rudd, Tom Hanks, Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig and Scarlett Johansson. Emma Stone also took part in the final bow and hugged Hozier in a warm moment that captured the celebratory spirit of the evening.

Earlier in the episode, Hozier performed his hit single “Too Sweet,” showcasing his signature vocal depth. His return to the SNL stage comes more than a decade after his debut in 2014, when he performed Take Me to Church and Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene.