Wilderness
Joy Division Lyrics


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I traveled far and wide through many different times
What did you see there?
I saw the saints with their toys
What did you see there?
I saw all knowledge destroyed
I traveled far and wide through many different times

I traveled far and wide through prisons of the cross
What did you see there?
The power and glory of sin
What did you see there?
The blood of Christ on their skins
I traveled far and wide through many different times

I traveled far and wide and unknown martyrs died
What did you see there?
I saw the one-sided trials
What did you see there?
I saw the tears as they cried
They had tears in their eyes

Tears in their eyes




Tears in their eyes
Tears in their eyes

Overall Meaning

The song "Wilderness" by Joy Division features Ian Curtis singing about his travels through different times and locations, witnessing various events that have caused him to feel a sense of despair and disillusionment. As he journeys through these different places, he sees saints with their toys, suggesting that even those who are seen as pure and holy are capable of being distracted and corrupted by material possessions. He also sees all knowledge destroyed, which could be interpreted as a criticism of systemic oppression or a warning of society's propensity to reject information that challenges its worldview.


Curtis then travels to prisons of the cross, likely alluding to the power and influence of religious institutions. Here, he sees the power and glory of sin, as well as the blood of Christ on their skins, which may symbolize the hypocrisy of religious figures or the guilt of those who have sinned against their own beliefs. Finally, he witnesses unknown martyrs who have died in one-sided trials, with tears in their eyes, highlighting the injustice and suffering that exists in the world.


Overall, "Wilderness" is a meditation on the struggles of the human experience, with Curtis using his lyrics to call attention to the many forms of suffering and oppression that exist in the world. The song suggests that even in moments of hopelessness and despair, there is still a kernel of humanity that can bring people together.


Line by Line Meaning

I traveled far and wide through many different times
The singer has journeyed through various eras.


What did you see there?
Asking the listener what they have experienced and what they noticed.


I saw the saints with their toys
The singer saw holy people indulging in materialistic pleasures.


I saw all knowledge destroyed
The artist witnessed the destruction of all knowledge and wisdom.


I traveled far and wide through prisons of the cross
The artist has traveled to places of religious confinement.


The power and glory of sin
The singer saw that the allure and lavishness of sin was being celebrated.


The blood of Christ on their skins
The singer witnessed people displaying the blood of Christ on their bodies.


I traveled far and wide and unknown martyrs died
The artist journeyed far and wide and saw anonymous martyrs losing their lives for their beliefs.


I saw the one-sided trials
The artist witnessed unfair trials and verdicts.


I saw the tears as they cried
The artist saw people crying out of sadness and despair.


They had tears in their eyes
Repeating the fact that people were crying.


Tears in their eyes
Repeating the fact that people were crying.


Tears in their eyes
Repeating the fact that people were crying.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bernard Sumner, Ian Kevin Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Paul David Morris

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@lever.theeyeofthesource

A Thief's Plan
Tragedy will draw a crowd.
Every man wants a legacy.
Comedy can cancel it out,'
so be aware of that enemy,
Jealousy will guard your clout,
and be aware of the ladies,
but the thief is planning
to clean them out.
He devised it all in the waiting.
-Foul Oleo



All comments from YouTube:

@avegen1616

This is quite possibly my most favorite song ever recorded. Raw, dark, hard-hitting, thought provoking.

@givemetwentybucks

Bernards guitar track on this gives me chills every time.

@geordiedog1749

Me too

@steve261brown

Shame the video is shite though as they all are. Thank God for the music!

@Izumiame

Mind listening to this song is a hidden gem - Faceless Humming by the impures )
.....

@willjones6050

Dude took less time writing it than you did that.
Know your place.

2 More Replies...

@christhemonkey7867

Honestly just Ian dancing to this song would be great

@catttyun

What's your profile picture?

@charlesaustin566

@@catttyun Here's a hint.. Yes no, maybe, I dont knowwww. Can you repeat the question? You're not the boss of me nowwww youre not the boss of me now and youre not sooo biiiig... life is unfaaaaiirrr.. Get it now?

@catttyun

@@charlesaustin566 Got it, I've always seen it on the show and wondered if it's originally from some cartoon

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