Ceremony
Joy Division / New Order Lyrics


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This is why events unnerve me,
They find it all, a different story,
Notice whom for wheels are turning,
Turn again and turn towards this time,
All she ask's the strength to hold me,
Then again the same old story,
World will travel, oh so quickly,
Travel first and lean towards this time.

Oh, I'll break them down, no mercy shown,
Heaven knows, it's got to be this time,
Watching her, these things she said,
The times she cried,
Too frail to wake this time.

Oh I'll break them down, no mercy shown
Heaven knows, it's got to be this time,
Avenues all lined with trees,
Picture me and then you start watching,
Watching forever, forever,




Watching love grow, forever,
Letting me know, forever.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Joy Division's song "Ceremony" are mysterious and enigmatic, as is characteristic of the band's music. The opening line, "This is why events unnerve me," suggests that the song is about the anxiety and uncertainty that comes with major life events. The singer seems to be aware that the world is constantly changing, and that people's motivations and intentions are not always clear. He is wary of those who are "turning wheels" and "travel[ing] first," and seeks the strength to withstand their influence.


The chorus of the song, "Oh, I'll break them down, no mercy shown, Heaven knows, it's got to be this time," indicates that the singer is determined to assert his own agency and not be controlled by other people or events. He is willing to be ruthless in pursuit of his own goals, but he also expresses empathy for someone (presumably a woman) who has suffered in the past and is too "frail to wake this time."


The final section of the song is more hopeful, with the image of "avenues all lined with trees" and the idea of "watching love grow forever." The singer seems to be envisioning a future in which he and his companion are able to be together and nurture their love, despite the challenges they have faced.


Overall, the lyrics of "Ceremony" are open to interpretation, as is often the case with Joy Division's music. They convey a sense of unease and uncertainty but also of hope and determination.


Line by Line Meaning

This is why events unnerve me,
I am easily disturbed by things that happen, that's why I am anxious all the time.


They find it all, a different story,
People's interpretations of events are usually different from the truth.


Notice whom for wheels are turning,
Be mindful of the people who benefit from the events taking place.


Turn again and turn towards this time,
Look at the present moment and focus on what's happening now.


All she ask's the strength to hold me,
She needs the power to support and comfort me.


Then again the same old story,
We keep repeating the same events and stories over and over again.


World will travel, oh so quickly,
Events and information spread rapidly around the world now.


Travel first and lean towards this time.
Go with the flow of events and let them lead you to what's next.


Oh, I'll break them down, no mercy shown,
I will dismantle any obstacles or barriers without hesitation.


Heaven knows, it's got to be this time,
The timing is right, and it's essential to act now.


Watching her, these things she said,
I am observing her closely, and I remember every word that she spoke.


The times she cried,
I recall the moments she shed tears and felt pain.


Too frail to wake this time.
It's too difficult for her to face reality at this moment in time.


Avenues all lined with trees,
Paths covered in trees that symbolize our journey through life.


Picture me and then you start watching,
Imagine a world where you observe me and understand how I see the world.


Watching forever, forever,
We will observe each other indefinitely into the future.


Watching love grow, forever,
Our admiration for each other will continue to grow and develop.


Letting me know, forever.
I will always let you know how I feel and what's on my mind.




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

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

@juancamacho5746

This is why events unnerve me
They find it all, a different story
Notice whom for wheels are turning
Turn again and turn towards this time
All she ask's the strength to hold me
Then again the same old story
Word will travel, oh so quickly
Travel first and lean towards this time.

Oh, I'll break them all, no mercy shown
Heaven knows, it's got to be this time
Watching her, these things she said
The times she cried
Too frail to wake this time.
🎵🎶🎵🎶
Oh, I'll break them down, no mercy shown
Heaven knows, it's got to be this time
Avenues all lined with trees
Picture me and then you start watching
Watching forever, forever
Watching love grow, forever
Letting me know, forever.



@AEONZOE

This is why events unnerve me,
they find it all, a different story,
notice whom for wheels are turning,
turn again and turn towards this time,
all she ask's the strength to hold me,
then again the same old story,
word will travel, oh so quickly,
travel first and lean towards this time.
Oh, i'll break them down, no mercy shown,
heaven knows, it's got to be this time,
watching her, these things she said,
the times she cried,
too frail to wake this time.
Oh, i'll break them down, no mercy shown,
heaven knows, it's got to be this time,
avenues all lined with trees,
picture me and then you start watching,
watching forever, forever,
watching love grow, forever,
letting me know, forever



All comments from YouTube:

@michawinkler2166

The best "Goodbye Song" for Ian.

@georgeaharonian9078

R.I.P. Ian Curtis, I truly hope you can see all these comments and the hearts you touched
.

@8darkknight472

IAn was murdered

@Thehamstersgiude2u

Love you flap jack

@amirfreeman1557

@@8darkknight472 Yeah, murdered by gravity. By another person? No, I don't think so.

@stephenfaulkner6975

I think you’ve nailed it with that comment

4 More Replies...

@briangamble5396

41Years today the world lost a legend. RIP Ian

@user-sh6li4ue1s

My Favorite as Robert Smith. Russland/

@aazreaal

Cant believe it's been that long.

@c1rcl3s

Older than me, and I thought I was pretty old.

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