Backworld was formed in 1993 owing to Budenholzer's growing passion for English folk music, minimalist classical composition, Christian mysticism, and a desire to make music that could reflect these interests and hopefully be as spiritual and beautiful.
Since joining forces with World Serpent Distribution (London) in 1995 four studio albums have resulted, Holy Fire (1996), Isles of the Blest (1997), Anthems from the Pleasure Park (1999), Of Silver Sleep (2001) and a live album, The Fourth Wall, recorded at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London 2001. And 2 moreLPs Good Infection (2007) and Come The Bells (2011) on his own Discalucla label
Backworld's albums and early performances at CBGB's 313 Gallery and the NYU Experimental Theatre Wing and more recent concerts at House Leipzig, Germany; Grandson Castle, Switzerland; Bloomsbury Theatre, and St. Olave's Church, London, have featured a changing roster of players but the course is still steered by Budenholzer's constant vision. Arrangements of guitar, strings, percussion, flutes, electronics, revolve around lyrics concerned with ecstatic religious yearnings and tales of otherworldly visions. Notably Jarboe (Swans) has been a recurring figure in this story as well. Her presence can be felt lurking around certain tracks on the second and third albums. Recently, while recording the upcoming album, Good Infection, he enlisted the talents of Isobel Campbell (Belle & Sebastian, Gentle Waves), David Tibet (Current 93) and Drew McDowall (Coil) to contribute vocals and other textures to the new songs.
Come With Joy
Backworld Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pressed to our skin
The beauty and the anguish
Serve to heighten our joy
So we open ourselves
The wound is a beginning
We feast on the flesh
The flesh of our martyr
Come with joy to the feast that lasts forever
Come with joy to the feast that lasts forever
The thorn is red
It tears our wings
And the forms of oppression
Are the stones on our feet
So we fall and we perish
And lie in the fields
Among the ancient stones of Gaea
Come with joy to the feast that lasts forever
Come with joy, for the feast shall last forever
Come with joy to the feast that lasts forever
Come, oh come, for the feast shall last forever
The sacrificial king
Shall rise from the slaughter
His shorn head will flow
Once again as a river
So we open our veins
Let the blood flow like water
We fill up the cup
And drink to our martyr
Come with joy to the feast that lasts forever
Come, oh come, for the feast shall last forever
Come with joy to the feast that lasts forever
Come, oh come, for the feast shall last forever
The song "Come With Joy" by Backworld is a beautiful and haunting exploration of the themes of sacrifice, suffering, and joy. The lyrics are filled with religious language and imagery, invoking a sense of ancient ritual and sacrificial ceremony. The song is built around the repetition of the phrase "Come with joy to the feast that lasts forever," which serves as both an invitation to participate in the sacrament and a celebration of the eternal nature of the feast.
The ros of flame, which is mentioned in the opening lines, represents the beauty and the anguish of life. The rose, with its sharp thorns and vibrant colors, symbolizes the duality of existence - the pleasure and the pain, the joy and the sorrow. The wound mentioned in the lyrics is seen as a beginning, a way to open ourselves up to the divine mystery of life. The references to the sacrificial king and the martyr suggest that the feast is a form of communion with the divine, and that by participating in the sacrifice, we are able to transcend the limitations of our earthly existence and access a higher state of consciousness.
One interesting aspect of "Come With Joy" is the way it draws on a variety of religious and mythic traditions. The references to Gaea, the ancient Greek goddess of the earth, and the thorn that tears our wings, evoke pagan imagery, while the references to the sacrificial king and the martyr are more Christian in nature. The use of sacrificial imagery is also reminiscent of shamanic and indigenous religious practices. Another interesting aspect of the song is the way it creates a sense of timelessness, as if the sacrament being celebrated has been enacted for centuries, and will continue to be celebrated for centuries to come. The repetition of the phrase "Come with joy to the feast that lasts forever" serves to reinforce this sense of eternal recurrence.
Some possible chords for the song are G, C, D, and Em, with a slower tempo and a strong emphasis on the vocals. However, it should be noted that the song may feature additional chords and instrumentation not present in this simple interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh rose of flame
This symbolizes the beauty and pain that come together in life.
Pressed to our skin
Life's struggles leave an impression on us and shape who we are.
The beauty and the anguish
Both the good and bad experiences of life add depth and meaning to it.
Serve to heighten our joy
Without the lows, we wouldn't appreciate the highs as much.
So we open ourselves
We must be vulnerable and open to life's experiences in order to truly live.
The wound is a beginning
Even our pain can lead to growth and new possibilities.
We feast on the flesh
We take nourishment from the struggles we face and overcome.
The flesh of our martyr
Our own pain and struggle can sometimes feel like a sacrifice.
Come with joy to the feast that lasts forever
Embrace life's experiences with joy and gratitude, as they are part of an endless cycle.
The thorn is red
Thorns represent the pain and hardship in life, and the color red symbolizes the intensity of that pain.
It tears our wings
The difficulties we face can sometimes hamper our ability to soar and succeed.
And the forms of oppression
There are many ways in which people can be held back or held down.
Are the stones on our feet
Oppression can feel like a heavy weight that keeps us from moving forward.
So we fall and we perish
Sometimes the struggles we face can overwhelm us and cause us to lose hope.
And lie in the fields
This represents the final resting place of those who have given up or succumbed to their challenges.
Among the ancient stones of Gaea
Gaea is a symbol of mother earth, reflecting the fact that death is a natural and inevitable part of life.
The sacrificial king
This represents the idea that sometimes great sacrifice is necessary in order to achieve something meaningful.
Shall rise from the slaughter
Despite the pain and sacrifice, positive outcomes can still arise from difficult situations.
His shorn head will flow
This symbolizes the idea that even when things seem hopeless, there is still potential for growth and new life.
Once again as a river
This reflects the cyclical nature of life and the fact that new beginnings can arise from endings.
So we open our veins
Similar to the earlier line about opening ourselves, this symbolizes being vulnerable and open to the potential for growth and change.
Let the blood flow like water
This is a metaphor for the release of pain and struggle, leading to the renewal and refreshment of the self.
We fill up the cup
This represents taking in the nourishment of life's experiences - both good and bad.
And drink to our martyr
This reflects the idea that our pain and struggle can ultimately become a source of strength and inspiration.
Come, oh come, for the feast shall last forever
This line is a repeated call to embrace life's experiences with joy and gratitude, as they are part of an endless cycle.
Writer(s): Joe Budenholzer
Contributed by Xavier O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
J B
I always enjoy Joseph's voice and the calming approach to his music.
GoyliathZiofister
Love the violin in this version
msx314
marvelous! been there. too bad this gig had been played for the audience of about 6 people... very kitchen-style. this music deserves better! thumbs up for the recording.