As the years progressed, the PiL line-up would change, adding renowned drummer Martin Atkins in 1979 as the direction of the band evolved. Compared to their first three albums, the later 1980's/early 1990's period saw a more conventional sound to the musical aspect, but still retaining Lydon's biting lyrics. The album compact disc (aka Album or Cassette, depending on what format you have it on), recorded by Lydon with a slate of studio musicians organized by producer Bill Laswell, is considered the artistic highpoint of this period of PiL's evolution. PiL reached their commercial zenith with their aptly titled ninth album, 9, during 1989/1990.
PiL kept going as a Lydon project until 1993, when Lydon disbanded the group. Their final lineup consisted of Lydon, Ted Chau (guitar, keyboards), Mike Joyce of The Smiths (drums), John McGeoch of Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees (guitar), and Russel Webb (bass).
In September 2009, Lydon announced that the band would reform, including earlier members Bruce Smith and Lu Edmonds, for a number of Christmas shows in the UK. The One Drop Songfacts reports that Lydon financed the reunion using money he earned doing a UK television commercial for Country Life butter. This Is PiL, the band’s first album for 20 years was recorded at Steve Winwood’s studio, which is located in a barn, in the middle of the Cotswolds in southern England. It was released on May 28, 2012.
Four Enclosed Walls
Public Image Ltd. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Allah
Allah
Doom sits in gloom in his room
Destroy the infidel
In a mosque
In a ghost
Is a sword
Is a Saracen
Allah
Joan of Arc was a sorcerer
The trilogy the desert sand
Scriptures in the tower of Babble
Allah
Only ending is easy
Burn
Burn
Burn
In the tower
Only ending is easy
Allah
Arise in the east
The trilogy
Allah
Allah
I take heed
Arise in the West
A new crusade
The song Four Enclosed Walls by Public Image Ltd. is a complex and enigmatic piece that touches on themes of religion, violence, and history. The first stanza mentions Allah, the Islamic term for God, and depicts a figure known as Doom sitting in his room, plotting to destroy those who do not believe in Allah. The next few lines seem to suggest that this destruction will take place in a mosque or by a ghostly figure wielding a sword, possibly referencing historical conflicts between Islamic and non-Islamic groups. The song then shifts its focus to the French historical figure Joan of Arc, describing her as a sorcerer, and mentions a trilogy set in the desert sand and religious texts kept in the tower of Babel. The song repeats the phrases "Allah" and "burn" before ending with a call for a new crusade.
The lyrics of Four Enclosed Walls are cryptic and challenging to interpret, with many possible meanings and references. Some have suggested that the song is a commentary on the relationship between Islam and Western society, with references to Joan of Arc and the Tower of Babel representing Christian and Jewish history respectively. Others have interpreted the lyrics as a critique of religious extremism and violence, with the repeated calls to burn and destroy representing the dangerous consequences of such beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Allah
This is a reference to the Islamic deity, used repeatedly throughout the song.
Doom sits in gloom in his room
A personification of despair and hopelessness.
Destroy the infidel
A call to arms against nonbelievers.
In a mosque
A place of worship for followers of Islam.
In a ghost
A haunting, eerie presence.
Is a sword
A weapon for battle.
Is a Saracen
A term used to refer to Muslims during the Crusades.
Joan of Arc was a sorcerer
A reference to the medieval French heroine who led her army to victory, accused of sorcery, and ultimately burned at the stake.
The trilogy the desert sand
A metaphorical reference to the holy Islamic texts - the Qur'an, the Hadith, and the Sunnah.
Scriptures in the tower of Babble
A reference to the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel, symbolizing the confusion and discord between religions.
Only ending is easy
Implying that destruction and chaos come more naturally to humans than peace or resolution.
Burn
To ignite and destroy, often used in a violent or aggressive context.
In the tower
A representation of the hierarchical structure and authority associated with organized religion.
Arise in the east
Symbolizes the rise of Islamic power, particularly in the Middle East and Asia.
The trilogy
Refers again to the three holy Islamic texts.
I take heed
To take notice or pay attention to something, often implying a sense of caution or warning.
Arise in the West
Refers to the growth and spread of Islam in Europe and the Western world.
A new crusade
This final line carries a double meaning: a new religious campaign as well as a call to action for those who hold fast to their beliefs.
Contributed by Connor P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.