A key influence on industrial rock, their early music was described by critics Stephen Thomas Erlewine and John Dougan as well as industrial metal and "quasi-metal, dancing to a tune of doom and gloom," which gradually evolved over the years, incorporating elements of electronic music, synth-pop, gothic rock, and alternative rock, though always emphasizing Coleman's "savagely strident vocals."
Finding modest commercial success, Killing Joke have influenced many later bands, such as Nirvana, Ministry, Amen, Lamb of God, Nine Inch Nails, Napalm Death, Amebix, Big Black, Godflesh, Tool, Prong, Metallica, Primus, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, Faith No More, Blacklist, Shihad and Korn, all of whom have at some point cited some debt of gratitude to Killing Joke.
Lanterns
Killing Joke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No mortgage repayments to weigh my mind
And if it all fell through tomorrow
Put my pack on my back
And it's home where the lunatics roam
Faith, faith moved a mountain
Where the rivers are so clean
And the consciousness so green
Lanterns of hope shine on
Lanterns of hope shine on
Lanterns of hope
Ribbons of wishes, tied to the trees
Hives full of honey, yield to the seed
And if it all fell through tomorrow
Put my pack on my back
And it's home where the lunatics roam
Faith, faith moved a mountain
Where the rivers are so clean
And the consciousness is so green
And the luminous folk shine like
Lanterns of hope shine on
Lanterns of hope shine on
Lanterns of hope shine on
Lanterns of hope
And if it all fell through tomorrow
Put my pack on my back
And it's home where the lunatics roam
Faith, faith moved a mountain
Where the rivers are so clean
And the consciousness is so green
And the luminous folk shine like
Lanterns of hope shine on
Lanterns of hope shine on
Lanterns of hope
Fire, fire light the lantern
When we drink from the streams
And we grow our own greens
And the fences have all been torn down
Lanterns of hope, shine on
Lanterns of hope, shine on
Lanterns of hope, shine on
Lanterns of hope, shine on
Lanterns of hope, shine on
Lanterns of hope, shine on
Lanterns of hope, shine on
Lanterns of hope, shine on
The Killing Joke's Lanterns is a song that offers a message of hope and spiritual strength even in the face of environmental degradation and societal collapse. The lyrics are filled with images of nature, expressed through the lines about clean rivers and growing greens. The song speaks of the need for faith to move mountains, and the idea that we can find our way home, even when the world around us seems to be crumbling. The chorus, with its repetition of “Lanterns of hope shine on,” carries with it a message of resilience and determination, one that encourages the listener to hold out hope even in the darkest of times.
The imagery in the song is both beautiful and powerful. The line “Faith moved a mountain” speaks to the idea that belief and conviction can change the course of events and transform the world around us. The “luminous folk” who shine like lanterns are symbolic of the resilience and creativity that can exist even in seemingly hopeless situations. The song speaks to the power of the individual to create change, whether through personal transformation or collective action. It is a rallying cry for those who seek to find meaning and hope in a world that often seems chaotic and destructive.
Line by Line Meaning
Equinox sun. Summers of fun
The balance between light and dark is celebrated during the summer season when life is carefree and enjoyable.
No mortgage repayments to weigh my mind
Financial burdens do not trouble me and I am free to live without the anxieties of debt.
And if it all fell through tomorrow
Put my pack on my back
And it's home where the lunatics roam
In the face of adversity, I will embrace the nomadic lifestyle and find refuge with other unconventional people.
Faith, faith moved a mountain
Where the rivers are so clean
And the consciousness so green
Belief can inspire great change, leading to a life filled with purity and heightened awareness.
And the luminous folk shine like
Lanterns of hope shine on
Lanterns of hope shine on
Lanterns of hope
Positive, radiant individuals bring hope to the world and their light shines bright like lanterns.
Ribbons of wishes, tied to the trees
Hives full of honey, yield to the seed
Nature provides bountiful blessings, yielding a plentiful harvest and dream fulfillment.
Fire, fire light the lantern
When we drink from the streams
And we grow our own greens
And the fences have all been torn down
By illuminating our way and returning to nature, we can live self-sufficiently and free from societal constraints.
Lanterns of hope, shine on
May the light of hope continue to shine brightly.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Benz
lyrics:
Equinox sun. Summers of fun
No mortgage repayments to weigh my mind
And if it all fell through tomorrow
Put my pack on my back
And it's home where the lunatics roam
Faith, faith moved a mountain
Where the rivers are so clean
And the consciousness so green
And the luminous folk shine like
Lanterns of hope
Lanterns of hope shine on
Lanterns of hope
Ribbons of wishes, tied to the trees
Hives full of honey, yield to the seed
And if it all fell through tomorrow
Put my pack on my back
And it's home where the lunatics roam
Faith, faith moved a mountain
Where the rivers are so clean
And the consciousness so green
And the luminous folk shine like
Lanterns of hope
Lanterns of hope shine on
Lanterns of hope
Fire, fire light the lantern
When we drink from the streams
And we grow our own greens
And the fences have all been torn down
Lanterns of hope X8
Cesar Adrian Rodriguez Benavides
i dont understand why some people consider democracy a weak killing joke record, i love it and cant get enough of it!
Ryan Broome
I agree it's got some great songs. Lanterns 👌
Fat Man Jackson
Its badly mixed. But I agree, its a great album, just could have been "cleaner".
Louise McGee
I met jaz one time during hard times and told him this was my favourite. The song kept me going and I got through those times. Lovely song....always
Phil Renaud
What was his response?
Ryan Broome
same here met him in Prague 14 year ago.really nice guy got me some weed and had a few days chatting great guy and very interesting.👍
Simone SS
Put my pack on my back And it's home where the lunatics roam Faith, faith moved a mountain Where the rivers are so clean And the consciousness so green brilliant Jaz, keep on !!!!!
Simone SS
amazing song... I cannot explain why ....but this song really moves me....
Phil Renaud
It speaks to someting you secretly desire........probably a desire to leave the rat race and live a simple life off the land in a cabin with a garden and a warm fire beside a lake or river. My guess.
Helawolf
Or hold a revolution for the future of all generations to come. Life is not meant to be wasted on corporate slavery where you get nothing after working yourself to the bone.