“After numerous pandemic-induced cancellations of tours for the previous Swans album leaving meaning, and an apparent bottomless pit of waiting, waiting, waiting, and the strange disorientation that came with this sudden but interminable forced isolation I decided it was time to write songs for a new Swans album and forget about everything else. They came relatively easily, always informed by the suspicion that these could be my last. When I finally was able to travel, songs in hand, to Berlin to work with my friends recording this record, the feeling was akin to the moment in The Wizard of Oz when the film changes from black and white to color. Now I’m feeling quite optimistic. I hope you enjoy the album.” – Michael Gira

Primary contributors to The Beggar are Michael Gira, Kristof Hahn, Larry Mullins, Dana Schechter, Christopher Pravdica, Phil Puleo, Ben Frost, with vocal contributions from Jennifer Gira, Lucy Kruger, and Laura Carbone.