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The Eternal

Joy Division

aka “The Eternal (Soundcheck)”

1980
218
Live performances
1
Recording
49
Release appearances
1
Covered by

Lyrics

Procession moves on, the shouting is over, 
Praise to the glory of loved ones now gone. 
Talking aloud as they sit round their tables, 
Scattering flowers washed down by the rain, 
Stood by the gate at the foot of the garden, 
Watching them pass like clouds in the sky, 
…
View full lyrics 
Procession moves on, the shouting is over, 
Praise to the glory of loved ones now gone. 
Talking aloud as they sit round their tables, 
Scattering flowers washed down by the rain, 
Stood by the gate at the foot of the garden, 
Watching them pass like clouds in the sky, 
Try to cry out in the heat of the moment, 
Possessed by a fury that burns from inside.

Cry like a child, though these years make me older, 
With children my time is so wastefully spent, 
A burden to keep, though their inner communion, 
Accept like a curse an unlucky deal. 
Played by the gate at the foot of the garden, 
My view stretches out from the fence to the wall, 
No words could explain, no actions determine, 
Just watching the trees and the leaves as they fall.

Versions & Mixes

Recordings, remixes and alternate mixes of this composition.

  • Album Version 6:04
  • Live 1980-02-28 8:39
  • Live 1980-02-29 6:33

Release Appearances

49 known appearances

Closer

Closer

1980
1977 - 1980

1977 - 1980

1991
Heart & Soul

Heart & Soul

1997
Heart And Soul

Heart And Soul

1997
Preston 28 February 1980

Preston 28 February 1980

1999

Fractured Box

2001
Closer / Unknown Pleasures

Closer / Unknown Pleasures

2010

Videos

View on Transmission →

Live History

218
Total performances
First known performance
17 Jan 1980
Plan K, Brussels
Last known performance
25 Mar 2026
SimmCity, Vienna

Recent performances

Showing 20 of 218 total

Covered By (1)

Bis

Sources

MusicBrainz work ↗ MusicBrainz recording ↗