Colony Lyrics
A cry for help, a hint of anesthesia
The sound from broken homes, we used to always meet here
As he lays asleep, she takes him in her arms
Some things I have to do, but I don't mean you harm
[Verse 2]
A worried parent's glance, a kiss, a last goodbye
Hands him the bag she packed, the tears she tries to hide
A cruel wind that bows down to our lunacy
And leaves him standing cold here in this colony
[Verse 3]
I can't see why all these confrontations
I can't see why all these dislocations
No family life, this makes me feel uneasy
Stood alone here in this colony
[Chorus]
In this colony
In this colony
In this colony
In this colony
[Bridge]
Dear God in his wisdom took you by the hand
God in his wisdom made you understand
God in his wisdom took you by the hand
God in his wisdom made you understand
God in his wisdom took you by the hand
God in his wisdom made you understand
God in his wisdom took you by the hand
God in his wisdom made you understand
In this colony
In this colony
In this colony
In this colony
About
‘Colony’ addresses the recurring theme of isolation and alienation, which was a prominent topic in Joy Division’s music. The song explores the desolation and emptiness that can pervade modern society, highlighting the sense of disconnectedness that individuals may experience. The title ‘Colony’ itself suggests a group of people living together but still feeling detached from one another, mirroring the idea of a collective yet lonely existence.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Drummer Stephen Morris spoke about the song and its recording process in 2020:
Colony is probably my favourite Joy Division song. Again, it’s got a literary reference to Kafka, which Ian was reading and I read a fair bit as well. Whereas all the early songs were punky, thrashy things, we were trying to do stuff that was a bit unsettling. I really thought Ian’s lyrics on that one were absolutely fantastic. He’d had it for a while, so it was an easy one to do. There was no messing about, with Martin [Hannett, producer] doing the drums or anything. It was pretty much done more or less live because we all knew exactly how it went.
Yes, here it is:
- 2.Isolation
- 3.Passover
- 4.Colony
- 8.The Eternal
- 9.Decades
