The Killing Ground
Recoil Lyrics


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A thief on the left and one on the right
Up on the hill about twilight
One lived forever, the other died
While a thorny head hung to one side

Two got to heaven from The Killing Ground
When the Lord gets ready, the whip comes down
Two men accused of breaking the law
Up on the side of Golgotha
One man accused of being a king
That’s the saddest song I’ll ever sing





Two got to heaven from The Killing Ground
When the Lord gets ready the whip comes down

Overall Meaning

The Killing Ground is a haunting and atmospheric song that tells the story of two thieves who were crucified on either side of Jesus. The lyrics describe the scene on Golgotha, the hill where Jesus was crucified. The thieves, one on Jesus' left and one on his right, are referred to as "a thief on the left and one on the right" and "two men accused of breaking the law". The lyrics also mention the crown of thorns that was placed on Jesus' head, with the line "While a thorny head hung to one side".


The lyrics then move on to describe the aftermath of the crucifixion, with the haunting lines "Two got to heaven from The Killing Ground, When the Lord gets ready, the whip comes down". These lines suggest that while two of the men were rewarded with entry into heaven, the other was punished by some divine authority. The singer of the song, identified as the band's leader Alan Wilder, refers to this as "the saddest song I'll ever sing". This line seems to convey a deep sense of loss and tragedy.


The song's lyrics are rich in imagery and symbolism, and the music complements them perfectly. The slow, brooding melody and Wilder's mournful vocals create a powerful atmosphere that perfectly captures the emotional weight of the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

A thief on the left and one on the right
Two criminals, one on the left and one on the right side of Jesus, were present during his crucifixion.


Up on the hill about twilight
The execution took place on a hill in the early evening.


One lived forever, the other died
One of the criminals was promised eternal life by Jesus, while the other died during the crucifixion.


While a thorny head hung to one side
Jesus wore a crown of thorns that caused him great pain and discomfort.


Two got to heaven from The Killing Ground
Despite their past transgressions, the two criminals were granted access to heaven after their deaths.


When the Lord gets ready, the whip comes down
God is the ultimate judge who decides when punishment is deserved and doled out accordingly.


Two men accused of breaking the law
The two criminals on either side of Jesus were believed to have committed crimes deserving of punishment.


Up on the side of Golgotha
The hill where the crucifixion took place is known as Golgotha.


One man accused of being a king
Jesus was accused of claiming to be the king of the Jews.


That’s the saddest song I’ll ever sing
The crucifixion of Jesus and the events that followed are one of the most tragic and sorrowful stories in human history.




Contributed by Chase T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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