The Village

I am shocked that only one person has commented on this. I love this song so much! The lyrics to me are so optimistic and it makes me so happy. Along with "Age of Consent", I totally relate to this song on a personal level.

This song is very mysterious to me and my latest interpretation is somewhat disturbing. This seems to be a song about Ian Curtis but perhaps it is about something else entirely. Clarification or input is welcome.

"When a new life turns towards you; And the night becomes a bay" Eludes to life after death. Night being death. Bay may refer to a safe place, a place for travelers, a transitional place, or all three.

"We shall remain forever; Everyone who meets his way" We will always be human or mortal.

"Oh, our love is like the flowers; The rain and the sea and the hours" New Order's love for Ian? Too many symbolic meanings are possible here: delicate, vibrant, nourishing, vast, timeless, etc.

"When the rain falls to the sea; They'll be waiting for you and for me" Perhaps when it rains in the sea it is time to find safe harbor. "They" may be those that have passed already.

"And the sky reflects our image; Trying to sleep right through our lives" We may or may not be being watched but it is plain to see in any case that we spend much of our time not trying to live our lives.

"Oh, our love is like the earth; The sun and the trees and the birth" Love described with nurturing elements.

"I am still here two days later; Same place, same time" In the village? With the living perhaps? A feeling of being stood up or alone.

"And I'm stuck here two years too long; Same place, the wrong time" Still mourning/not able to move on.

"Their love died three years ago; Spoken words I cannot show" Who's love? Ian and Deborah's? The song was released approximately three years after Ian's suicide. Ian had cheated on Deborah and their marriage was falling apart. The spoken words between lovers were too terrible to repeat?

The dark ending to the song makes me feel uneasy and I wonder in what spirit it was written. I hope that it was not resentment towards Deborah. It would be really terrible to lament about a lost love, describing how eternal and grand it was, and then to go and trash the relationship with his wife. I do not know about their relationship but the inability to sustain a marriage does not necessarily mean that their love was dead.

Perhaps the last lines are a form of condolence. Maybe it is an expression of sorrow that things did not end well before his death.

Or maybe this song is about something else entirely.

There are many ways one can interpret this song. But, the way I view it, the lyrical content could be a reference to Ian Curtis' passing and relationship with wife, Deborah. It could mean, that no matter how far one can move forward in life, these memories of a loved one, whom has passed. Will never fade, especially if that person meant a great deal to you. The meaning could also, be a special place where love has blossomed and flourished, which carries an a state of happiness. In this case, Ian and Deborah's love. One could imagine Bernard as viewing the romantic scenery, where they both would spend their time together. And coming to terms with the reality, that this childlike love and innocence, faded away. Rather than being bitter or upset about, "what could've been," he matured and came to the acceptance and found peace. That a loving memory won't fade in "The Village," it no longer harbors anger or bitterness. But a bittersweet feeling, that Ian's presence will always be there. Hence, "the rain, the sea, and the hours."

[Edit: Correction]

this song is criminally underrated. i agree with soma n the dead, n am also shocked that still only 2 other ppl have commented on this amazing song?!(i signed up just to post this :) the only bad thing about this song is that it always leaves me wanting more. this song needs to get DISCOVERED!

their love died three years ago spoken words i cannot show

this is one of my favorite no songs...