Killing Joke: "Goodbye to the Village"

(**EDIT** 04/03/10- LYRICS ARE NOW INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION)Track #10 from the extraordinary and oft underrated album "Brighter than a Thousand Suns," and one of my favorites. This beautiful and haunting song has gotten little recognition over the years. I felt it deserved a little play on You Tube. I hope you enjoy. Apologies if the recording is less than pristine. The compact disc is over twenty years old!
Lyrics:
Around the strangers moved, the shouts I felt within
New panoramas seen (I loved it as it was).
Forests of pylons built, the scaffolding is raised
And how the men pursue their work
They act convinced of freedom.
Crossed over by the bridge
The brook was running ill.
We recognized the place - places we knew as children
We wept upon the sight, and progress tore our hearts
Fences divide the land, homes boxed like rabbit hutches.
Goodbye to the village
Goodbye to the village
Where soil will not provide, no king and land are one
Monopolize the holy ground, all that we hold as sacred
No harvest moon shall rise, no valley homestead seen
And now the cities never end, and how the cities stretch forever
And in the morning promise me great times will come again
And the homelands in our hearts will never fade away
Let the legends promise me the earth shall rise again
And homelands in the hearts of men shall never fade away.
Goodbye to the village
Goodbye to the village
Goodbye to the village
Goodbye to the village
I'll never never see my home
I'll never never see my home
You'll never never see your home
You'll never never see your home
Copyright 1986 E'G Records (Used without permission)
The slideshow is secondary and just a smattering of K.J. stuff that I've scanned over the years.
Paul Raven- In Pace, Requiscat
Honour the Fire!

[@turbogato1]

RIP Gordie

[@permaveg]

On 26/11/23 we sadly lost a great and unique guitar wizard. Geordie Walker. Honour the fire.

[@Sinisa202]

Absolutely love Raven's bassline

[@LONEEAGLE_space_rock]

Low D, I think

[@Based_Stuhlinger]

@@LONEEAGLE_space_rock Thought so.

[@d.howlett395]

Brighter than a Thousand Suns is one of the best albums of all time!

[@kamilaktulu9045]

Matheus Assunção, True!

[@fvw4769]

Absolultly true!!

[@seanp8220]

shame it didnt get the deluxe edition treatments, its well deserving of one with demos or whatever

[@thejessman1460]

Couldn’t agree more

[@freddiefries]

My favourite album 😊❤

[@davidlatimer3091]

2023..Still great.

[@teofilbosmann3190]

Geordie R.I.P 😢

[@adamturner1563]

KJ. Untouchable band.

[@Watchman2012]

That's what I've always loved about Killing Joke, they are impossible to pigeonhole. I don't know how many times I've played songs from KJs discography for people and had them remark, "That's the same band?" I'm always discovering something new with their music. Their songs, in a very real and accurate sense, have helped me to evolve as an individual. And I'll be forever grateful for that.

[@Watchman2012]

It is a powerful, emotional song! I think most of us who've reached a certain age have felt similar feelings of grief upon returning to a place we haven't seen in years and years.

[@reginaldrocco7906]

I know Im randomly asking but does any of you know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I somehow forgot the login password. I appreciate any tricks you can offer me

[@robertolegend1660]

@Reginald Rocco Instablaster =)

[@reginaldrocco7906]

@Roberto Legend thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@reginaldrocco7906]

@Roberto Legend it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thank you so much, you really help me out!

[@robertolegend1660]

@Reginald Rocco you are welcome =)

[@Watchman2012]

In this post-industrialized, postmodern society we've begun to lose our balance. We live in an omniconnected world where I can talk to you from across the globe in seconds. We can have this momentary connection, without ever looking each other in the eyes. But have we ever been so fragmented, so cutoff from each other? I don't know. There are people who have 1500 friends on myspace but they don't know their neighbors names let alone a soul they feel they can confide their deepest thoughts to.

[@MrNTF-vi2qc]

Dang bro you even knew where we'd be back then

[@MrNTF-vi2qc]

can u reply to this if u somehow still on this account?

[@THEONEMS1]

For me this is my favorite period of Killing Joke. BTATS is amazing. Wish Jaz would go back to singing like this.

[@terryclouse1461]

Me too.

[@wishcraft4u2]

yeah a lot of fans of the band seem to look down on BTATS and OTG because it sounds too much like newwave pop I suppose? Totally unjustified. It's their best work imho

[@itsalondonthing9562]

Definitely mate!!, he's too thrash metal sounding now

[@destructingparabola]

Killing Joke sure is diverse. I can give them that. The went from Punk to New Wave to Metal. I personally like the New Wave area the best. BTATS is such a great album. I wish they would go back to this form. The darkness and negativity are still there, but turned into a cynical, apathetic spell and not outward hostility like metal or punk. More like my pesonality. Use your hate and negativity in a calculated, subdued manner.

[@fogzax]

Yes there is a bittersweet quality to this period that I love - as adorations says - as pain and joy and sorrow mingle

[@kieron63]

Killing Joke are Killing Joke 🖖

[@RoseCrossVato]

They managed to master nearly every sub-genre within underground music. With some of the highest standards of any musical project, they persist as my favorite band of all time.

[@Kazilikaya]

This is song about gentrification. The destruction of buildings and the loss of beloved mom-and-pop establishments to make way for luxury condos and tacky office buildings.

[@teofilbosmann3190]

Niestety Geordie nie żyje...Już chyba nie będzie Killing Joke😢

[@eyeseer1]

Killing Joke still resonates 40 years since their first tracks in July 1980.

[@1ocellus]

the bass in this is amazing RIP Paul Raven!!!!

[@celticwarrior1365]

Only just realised how deep a bass-line Raven plays throughout this classic!

[@amartinblueplanet]

This was the first album of KJ I heard. Adoration (also from this album) is simply a masterpiece of music. I love this song too. Many so called "real" KJ fans don't like this album because they deem it too pop or electronica.To me this is testament to the wide variety of musical tastes and craftsmanship of these guys and a big part of the reason that their music is so enduring and relevant today.

[@jeeedel2491]

amartinblueplanet Had the intended mixes been released as the band wanted then it would have never had that flack for being too commercial. Thank god they found the orignals and released them properly in the end, revealing the real power and texture behind the songs without the thin ‘mixed for radio’ sound that the label released

[@itsalondonthing9562]

Anything after the extremities album is too heavy and thrashfied for me, but brighter than a thousand sun's is my favourite by them

[@Sauron_the_god-king]

This brings images to my mind of a medieval village in England. The villagers somehow time traveled to the future (our present time) and are shocked and saddened to find that their village is no more, instead skyscrapers and other large buildings occupy their once beloved home.

[@darbycrash726]

This was a drastic change in their sound. Deeper, powerful and spacious, I immediately loved it. A great song from one of my favorite albums of all time. Saw them in 2008 at the House of blues, who was next to me paying their respects to a great and relevant band... Pat Smear.

[@Jack78fr]

Great track which reminds me of Joy Division the way Jaz sings those notes but in a more muscular way. KJ has got so much going on through their songs and cover such a wide range of different musical styles and moods it’s insane! One of my 5 favourite bands hands down. 🙌🙌🙌

[@benday1218]

I wonder if George Orwell's 'coming up for air' inspired this a bit?

[@MrSkeleton70]

i love Killing Joke

[@jorgerrpc]

"And in the morning promise me great times will come again And the homelands in our hearts will never fade away Let the legends promise me the earth shall rise again And homelands in the hearts of men shall never fade away"

[@thetension4882]

Also my favorite part of this song.

[@shanea595]

Like you said. A great band. Absolutely no bands coming out now can hold a candle light up to....

[@destructingparabola]

This song and album are amazing. I think the base really rocks and brings to mind Killing Joke's end of the world imagry. I also wish that Killing Joke stayed in New Wave mode like this rather than the heavy metal. The Apocalypic messages in their music are complimented nicely by this style. The synths and arrangements are just as good as the better New Wave bands of the time.

[@Ontariosound]

I remember them taking a lot of heat for changing their sound on this album. Abandoning their punk roots blah blah blah. Guess what ? They totally trumped U2 and Depeche Mode with this album at the time. An incredible singer and guitarist will do this....

[@k.godden7020]

That was the problem........They were better than that

[@samanthalewin4397]

Trumping u2 and Depeche Mode is no great feat really...

[@Ontariosound]

Obviously James W is neither a musician nor in possession of an IQ above 80. We all can see this now.

[@Watchman2012]

Thank you! I appreciate your kind words and agree with you totally about BTATS. "Thousand Suns" will, without a doubt, always remain one of my favorite albums. I still remember listening to it for the very first time. I would love to upload some more KJ songs and do have plans to but I have been very ill and having to work full-time. (The beauty of the free-market... nothing's free!) Take Care.

[@frenchkjfan9]

An absolute gem of a song. I first discovered Killing Joke with this album, and this song in particular stunned me with its beauty and force at the same time. It speaks a lot to me as I was raised in the countryside. Elyas, I read your very interesting comments below, with which I agree totally.

[@amonwerner4346]

This stuff is pure poetry. Thanks for uploading it

[@regnig99]

Decided to go Killing Joke crazy tonight. So many fantastic sounds so far. Didn't realise when younger how good they actually were at the time back in the early eighties although they always had something. Distinctive isn't the word. Loving that guitar sound again and right now, enjoying very much their later sounds. They say appreciation comes with age, yup, i'm there right now, indeed!

[@mecontus]

This has to be my favorite from BTATS.. it is such a dark (bright?) luxurious wonder! I remember buying the import 12" of "Sanity" just to get this song.. it wasn't on the original vinyl album. Thanks Watchman.

[@EmbraceEmptiness]

a very tasty track on an often criticized album, who kbnew it would get crazier still. love the dark moodiness of this album,classy, apocalyptic,cold,bittersweet nostalgia put to tape. i loved this era of killing joke.

[@itsalondonthing9562]

Taken from the best album they made in my opinion

[@Watchman2012]

I know where I live in the States farmland (along with our factories & mills) are being gutted so luxury condo-units, Mcmansions and chainstores can be built for young urban pros. We no longer have "neighbors" for the most part, just people who live next to us. We have the same 5 big-box stores every 15 miles. They sell the same crap. Creature comforts for our bedroom communities but there isn't a sense of community, a connection to the land. Indifference (for the most part) rules the day.

[@realityboost4405]

So…What is the basis for any criticism of this track?…Lyrical?…Philosophical (as a consequence)…Music style…Melody…WTF exactly?…30+ years later…I'll wait…

[@realityboost4405]

I'm still waiting…Though I wasn't at the time…

[@zen_light]

Cynical and Daunting. Like an arrow through the heart in a metaphysical way.

[@davicus100]

Im just discovering all their songs wow I was missing out, I remember hearing this one long ago but I didnt know it was them, so many great ones

[@mjc4462]

Eat my fat bass line. 😂 RIP Raven.

[@route37c]

flawless song...saw KJ in Boston on the Extremities tour

[@mikemsea4086]

Every period of Killing Joke is Great!

[@Watchman2012]

I don't mean to over-simplify the situation or to say we have it bad in the west. I guess we have so many opportunities now. Opportunities that our parents and grandparents never dreamt of. But those opportunities can become nightmares if we allow them to. Every human endeavor has a shadow and we as a species have always been obsessed with our own destruction. There is always room for hope. And the roots of our hope can often be traced to an afternoon long-ago under the warmth of the sun.

[@Denta92]

Man, this song really captures the feeling I felt when I returned to my birthplace after the latest trip to the place, four years since the move. It's sick how places can change in no time. It's sick how people and social structures can change in no time. It's the most scary thing I've ever experienced in my whole life, you feel alienated and you feel like you have nothing to return to anymore.

[@johnmchugh8046]

This song touches my heart. I've seen the complete distruction of woodland in my local area only to be replaced by a vast and discusting shopping mall. they have the audacity to call it Westwood.There is not a tree in fucking sight.it breaks my heart to see the distruction of our planet earth as the conglomerates and mass consumerism destroys places of such beauty. Many childhood memories were tied up with Westwood. it's a crying shame to see children hanging out in a shopping mall instead of making camps, lighting 🔥 fire's. It makes me go out and take action which I did only to find I have been watched and questioned. It makes me feel better about the state of affairs to know there's people out there that feel the same. Have listened to killing joke since they began awesome band and lyrically highly evocative.musically inspired. Genius. I thank the universe for killing joke an inspiration to me. Going to their gigs is brilliantly and highly charged experience and heartening to be with others of like minded spirit can't wait to see them again. It gives me hope for the future to see younger generations get into the music.

[@pedrojosegutierrezvelez5137]

Adorations exile............... olimpppppooooooo KJ 💪😎💪😎💪😎💪

[@BozJustBad]

Coldness, such coldness in their sound!!

[@fernandohubner33]

melhor banda punk do mundo

[@Watchman2012]

The wellspring of of our hopes and dreams can often be traced to our childhoods. Memories are not stagnant or fixed but they are not just disjointed impressions of fragmented thoughts discolored by the rosy lens of sentiment and nostalgia. They are a vital link and quite often they are a "place". Often they are all we have left. A tree, a garden, etc. can hold ghosts from the past, shades of a better time. When these "memorials" are sullied we can't help but ask "What is price of progress?"

[@submoronicbomb]

Nicely done! I enjoy this era of Killing Joke more and more with time. I could never love it more than the love I have for Extremities or Hosannas, but Night Time and Brighter than a Thousand Suns are amazing works of their time, and they touched on a sound I wish SOMEONE would unearth again.

[@Watchman2012]

You're welcome. This is one of those songs that makes me stop in my tracks whenever it is queued up.

[@ericbdepraved]

I think this might be my favorite Killing Joke song. Darkness before dawn is pretty tough.

[@henryqqk21]

I totally agree, I think this wonderful album and maybe this is one of the best songs of KJ ... Congratulations for posting:) Thanks!

[@georgpetur]

Good read inddeed! Killing Joke are the the band I listen to every day and usually my first choice when I want to listen to something, this album and OTG got me hooked at the time and I still play both a lot, but my music taste has also kinda evolved in same directions as this remarkable band, when Exremeties came out I was more than ready for hard-hitting and heavy thunder, love Hosannas and the muffled, but huge sound on it.

[@nickfloodban]

Good to read the very poignant words to this song after all these years having loved the music. Thank you.

[@replicas79]

love this song!!! brilliant!!

[@JosemarFerrari]

Amo essa bateria no início!! Contra baixo sensacional!!!

[@stefaniapartini5825]

Le chitarre sono eccezionali.

[@Evyufologie1]

J'ADORE CE TITRE. J'ADOOOOOOOORE !!! I LOVE SONG ! VERRY VERRY GOOD !!

[@BradleyMusicOfficial]

Absolutely love this song, and the whole BTATS album! Thanks for posting.

[@JosemarFerrari]

Essa música é sensacional, não canso de ouvir. Esse contrabaixo é fantástico, a entrada de bateria incrível. Muito obrigado.

[@schopen-hauer]

my favorite band from the 1980s

[@_Only_Zuul]

i am a big fan of killing joke and faith no more. i wish i can have a killing joke t-shirt but i can't find any good official merch.

[@new_cold_war_7028]

1:38 music to march to this is an anthem

[@johnnyconnelly7278]

This wasn't originally on BTATS. It was the B side to Sanity and I couldn't work out why it never made the album.

[@adrianomozzo]

Great song, great band, great voice!!!

[@giovannimilan]

wonderful track...I always loved it and it keeps on giving me great sensations!

[@GBStuff]

THANK YOU - best song from BTATS - steller..glistening...

[@Watchman2012]

You're very welcome. I am glad you enjoyed it!

[@metalmarkcanales1234]

Splendid And smooth!!!!

[@angiemak52]

underatted , album for sure , love of the Masses

[@Watchman2012]

My pleasure!

[@Watchman2012]

Indeed... and thank you.

[@Denta92]

A very interesting and thoughtful read. I may have to take some time to let it sink in. But I say; that's brilliantly written. :)

[@kieron63]

only 'Outside the Gate' should ever be considered dodgey, love everything meself! GODS GROUP! espesh wi Youth back under worst circumstances!

[@rafaelesteban2877]

Très belle chanson, une des meilleures de KJ selon moi. Dommage que le rythme de la batterie ne change pas, mais c'est tellement bien compensé, et ça tourne comme une obsession lancinante et une plainte hors du temps.

[@gabrielgutierrez530]

Great song!!!!

[@haukebensberg7497]

Thank U so much for the uploaod.....I have the original LP released in 1986,i suppose, that brillant song was not included.....

[@Evyufologie1]

I LOVE SONG ! J'ADORE CE TITRE.

[@juliecoleman3158]

j'adore cet album et cette chanson je le trouve simplement incroyable

[@fernandozomiros3164]

Gosto de:adorartion linda música o baixo do paul raven e muito legal

[@Guevaristas]

yea, an epic track. Probably the best on the album. Superlative lyrics

[@amartinblueplanet]

Actually 2012 has elements of BTATS in it--In Cythera, Primobile as examples.

[@SteveAydt]

Where am I? In The Village.

[@johnnym.wright7644]

U should see what kind of stuff an aicraft csrrier throws overboard after a cruise

[@MrDoremouse]

if i was off my face enough it would make me cry

[@indicablue7450]

Awesome recording!! You must care for your CDs well! Thanks 4 the lyrics too!! If you dint mind me asking hiw old are you? Im 40 so kinda remember hearing KJ tgen my best m8 gave me a copy of loadsa thier stuff so I fell in love with them already livibg joy division & the dambed etc. I call my kid Jazz too. Shes Jasmine.

[@alenakolarova9699]

super song !!!!!!!!!

[@ericbirch1289]

Where are all the BTATS at?

[@gaw67]

Love it

[@alenakolarova9699]

nice song !!!!!!!

[@Watchman2012]

@mistomen On KJ I agree... On your last point, 10 years ago I would've said yes... now I'm not so sure.

[@henryqqk21]

é emocinante... sou muito fã!!!!!

[@Epitaphforyesterday]

excellent song, just wondering why you included pandemonium backshots mr. watchman2012? eh, minor criticism. any furthering of this band is always good.

[@fernandozomiros3164]

Como ticava:baixo:lindamente paul ravem:que deus:otenha❤

[@Faman2009]

'Frank Says'

[@Watchman2012]

You're welcome.

[@malageux]

Hmm, thought I was listening to The Police with extra words and reverb. My bad.

[@brandonbentley5453]

Better call the Police because Killing Joke pre-dates many who claim to be original.

[@JuneSadness]

[@Epitaphforyesterday]

if i agreed any harder, i'd burst

[@NnietBrovdiGV]

xxx