This is a crisis I knew had to come
Destroying the balance I'd kept
Doubting, unsettling, and turning around
Wondering what will come next
Is this the role that you wanted to live?
I was foolish to ask for so much
Without the protection and infancy's guard
It all falls apart at first touch

Watching the reel as it comes to a close
Brutally taking its time
People who change for no reason at all
It's happening all of the time
Can I go on with this train of events?
Disturbing and purging my mind
Back out of my duties, when all's said and done
I know that I'll lose every time

Moving along in our God-given ways
Safety is sat by the fire
Sanctuary from these feverish smiles
Left with a mark on the door
Is this the gift that I wanted to give?
Forgive and forget's what they teach
Or pass through the deserts and wastelands once more
And watch as they drop by the beach

This is the crisis I knew had to come
Destroying the balance I'd kept
Turning around to the next set of lives
Wondering what will come next


Lyrics submitted by typo, edited by Hgaudguad

Passover Lyrics as written by Ian Kevin Curtis Bernard Sumner

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Passover song meanings
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    General Comment

    Yes, most Joy Division songs are not about suicide, but I always thought this song was about a transition from life into death, hence the name "Passover." The last stanza seems to make a reference to reincarnation: "Turning around to the next set of lives..." Surely he is talking about a transition and the end of a life, whatever "life" means.

    Maybe, instead of death, he is simply referring to the end of his marriage and the transitions involved in that: from married status to single status? Or from one marriage to another marriage? He could be seen living a "double life" due his affair? Certain lines could make reference to marriage and his affair, such as when he says, "Is this the role that you wanted to live, I was foolish to ask for so much."

    noshowon April 17, 2010   Link

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