Ceremony Lyrics
So thoroughly convinced that the product of persistence
Was a love that I'd been told of when I was just a kid
I was wed to my misery in the hope that at the ceremony
You'd interject, but you never did
Now seven years on, bitter and resentful
I still contemplate what I did to deserve
The glimpses of affection you used to distract me
As you were filing my teeth to the nerve
[Verse 2]
I know you were the death of me, but still in spite of everything
I hope that you are finding sleep while I still lay awake
Although my throat is burning now, it's still so quiet in the house
The emptiness you occupied is more than I can take
[Chorus]
Tell me, are you ashamed?
'Cause I felt alone and you watched as I decayed
I slipped through your hands as I faded
I've tried to forget
But your love will make a museum of me yet
I hope you know how long I've waited
[Verse 3]
Though reservoirs of self-disgust have swollen up inside my lungs
Pulmonary Oedema is no substitute for love that once lay its head upon my chest
A comfort cradled motionless, but I have come undone
My love is not enough
I know it's hard to watch your light fade from my eyes, but darling for my sake you've got to let it die
My weathered hands have dug this grave enough
It's time for us to bury our love
Tell me, are you ashamed?
'Cause I felt alone and you watched as I decayed
I slipped through your hands as I faded
I've tried to forget
But your love will make a museum of me yet
I hope you know how long I've waited
About
“Ceremony” was written to vent the frustration that hindsight gives rise to; in this case, the realisation that an extensive period of emotional oppression has been suffered under the guise of a sincere relationship.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Vocalist Tom Weaver spoke about the meaning behind the song in the track-by-track of Love Is Not Enough for New Noise.
“Ceremony” was written to vent the frustration that hindsight gives rise to; in this case, the realization that an extensive period of emotional oppression has been suffered under the guise of a sincere relationship. The opening paragraph describes how an unrequited affection was pursued in the belief that true love prevails, only to lead into disappointment and disenfranchisement. As in ‘'Bloom’', “teeth” are used as a metaphor for autonomy.
On the album, this song features our friend Michael McGough of Being As An Ocean; however, when promoting the song online, and even in the track listing, we’ve neglected to mention it. During the writing and recording of this album, Michael was going through a set of personal circumstances that really reflected my own, and so as a result, this album held a great deal of sentimental value to him. We agreed between us that we’d like him to feature on a song, but only because it meant so much to both of us, not as a tool to promote the band.
