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 asks is 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

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Lyrics submitted by numb, edited by lokithecat

Ceremony Lyrics as written by Ian Kevin Curtis Bernard Sumner

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Ceremony song meanings

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52 Comments

+18
General Commentthis song is easily a candidate for best song of all time.
EdwinMontoyaZorrillaon June 29, 2011 Link
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@EdwinMontoyaZorrilla

Agreed, but feel that way about most all of New Orders songs.
Bluelilyon April 06, 2014

@EdwinMontoyaZorrilla Just recently decided it was No.2. With Once In a Lifetime @ No.1 ;)
Glitterpusson August 21, 2018

@EdwinMontoyaZorrilla Exactly.
lynn115880on February 19, 2020
+8
General CommentI cry every time i hear this song... it's so deep.
I might be wrong or too romantic but to me it's about love.
It could describe the strange sesation that you feel when you see (in a ceremony), after long time, a person you loved in the past. You know that it's "the same old story" and that this person will never change her habits but you can't deny that you like her in everything she does. So what you can do? You can just sit and watch love grow ...forever...
vivienleion October 26, 2010 Link
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@vivienlei

you said it all my dear
2lostsoulson March 16, 2013

I think your right. A love lost. In the original version, Ian sings "Picture me in ten years time watching" - forever watching love grow.
A true love lost.
Unrequited?
How noble.
Arminius44on October 22, 2014
+8
General Commentthe "ceremony" is a funeral

"Notice whom for wheels are turning
Turn again and turn towards this time"

= the turning wheels of the hearse and funeral procession heading toward the cemetary.

Avenues all lined with trees=the avenues that the funeral procession takes to get to the destination.

"All she asks is the strength to hold me" the narrator is remembering her dying words, i suppose.

"Too frail to wake this time" can only be about someone dying.

mliem411on June 30, 2011 Link
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@mliem411
+6
General CommentI listen to this on repeat and I imagine my own inevitable suicide.

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, forever forever forever forever forever forever forever forever
backinburntcityon December 17, 2010 Link
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@backinburntcity

I, too, listen to this song incessantly. I love the power of the lyrics, the driving beats of the drums, and especially the guitar and bass parts. (Pretty much the whole song.)

This song is beautiful, and strikes me to the core every single time I hear it. It reminds me that we all feel similiar feelings. We're all different, but we all yearn. "Ceremony" reminds me that happier times are best remembered as happy. And the realities are always harshest when they hit deep.

I don't know you, backinburntcity. But I do know we both have a burning pain. Pushing through that pain, trying each and every day is all you can do. There are always blue skies and bright green blades of grass, you just can't always see them. Please think twice before electing to take your young life.

P.S. I was going to recommend "Bright Eyes" to you, I see you are already acquainted with Conor. If so check out "Burn Rubber." He covered it on a single. You'll find it...
Admiral82on March 09, 2011

At backinburntcity I know these feelings all to well but holding out for hope and beauty in music and life is what Bernard and New Order do best because their loss of Ian. No one wants that for people they love and respect. Even when we don't feel it in ourselves know its a life force that is there for you and in you friend.
Bluelilyon April 06, 2014

I just want to say that it's been seven years since I wrote this comment. I still listen to this song a lot, but I no longer want to die.

It's possible to heal from abuse & fight through depression, without pills too. Good luck to anyone else going through it.
backinburntcityon November 16, 2017

@backinburntcity Your first comment sent chills up my spine, seeing feelings all too familiar. I'm so glad you were able to see through your pain to another side.
ghotistickson November 26, 2017

@backinburntcity glad you are still here! Your comment teared me up. It reminded me of my own times. Glad I am here too. Not all that happy in life, but happy to be here.
toastiston January 16, 2018
+5
General Commentapparently this was the last song written by joy division before ian curtis killed himself. i think this is about frustration with the world, everyone sees things differently. when love forces us to join, problems arise.
Jinxxon June 21, 2005 Link
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@Jinxx
+4
General Commentone of my all-time favorites..it makes you feel infinite
tamiltigaon December 27, 2006 Link
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@tamiltiga
+3
General CommentI think its a love song, a tragic, vulnerable, apologetic love song.
virtualitaon September 15, 2007 Link
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@virtualita
+3
General CommentThe best part about this song for me is that I just can't fuckin figure out what it means!
ajklopotoskion April 29, 2011 Link
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@ajklopotoski
+2
General Commentfirstly, i think this song is about reunions, seeing people you havent seen in a really long time.... the 1st verse brings up the fact that whenever you meet people you havent seen in awhile, there are different stories, but in the end its all just the same, its as though not many people seem to change.. "notice whom for wheels are turning" <-- talk about who's become successful and made something of themselves.. the 2nd verse deals with his frustration with the people he disliked or dislikes. "ill break them down, no mercy shown" entangled in that, is his love for someone, the reason he hates these people is because they treated the girl he loved like crap. in summary, i think its about the frustration of a kind person aimed at people who didnt realise the long term effects of their mistreatment of others.
Schr4nzon June 18, 2004 Link
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@Schr4nz
+2
General Commenti based my old band of 5 years entirely on this song/version from substance. We once played a show and someone said we sounded like this song. almost brought a tear to my eye....think it's about his daughter actually...just imagine what the last joy division album could have been....
poly800rockon March 24, 2006 Link
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@poly800rock

if your band sounded anything like this type of stuff, im sure you guys sounded great.
flapjack7193on March 24, 2011

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Ceremony

New Order

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