The sweet smell of a great sorrow lies over the land
Plumes of smoke rise and merge into the leaden sky
A man lies and dreams of green fields and rivers
But awakes to a morning with no reason for waking

He's haunted by the memory of a lost paradise
In his youth or a dream, he can't be precise
He's chained forever to a world that's departed
It's not enough, it's not enough

His blood has frozen and curdled with fright
His knees have trembled and given way in the night
His hand has weakened at the moment of truth
His step has faltered

One world, one soul
Time pass, the river roll

And he talks to the river of lost love and dedication
And silent replies that swirl invitation
Flow dark and troubled to an oily sea
A grim intimation of what is to be

There's an unceasing wind that blows through this night
And there's dust in my eyes, that blinds my sight
And silence that speaks so much louder than words
Of promises broken


Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae, edited by hcannon

Sorrow Lyrics as written by Dave Gilmour

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

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Sorrow song meanings
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66 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment

    A nice work ... by David Gilmour ... his voice is God gifted . Whenever I listen this song I remember my friend Nasir who is a big fan of David Gilmour and the group Pink Floyd.I agree with paradox ...solo is heart wrenching .

    avion December 19, 2004   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    This is definitely one of their most poetic songs, right up there with "Echoes." And the solo is heart wrenching.

    Paradoxon March 14, 2003   Link
  • +4
    My Interpretation

    I use to think that this song was about the damage we are doing to our environment. I have changed my way of thinking. These lyrics speak to me now like never before. I hear in these lyrics the sorrow and hopelessness of a man who had an opportunity for happiness, a light in his life, a bright and beautiful future but it slipped away from him because he could not break from his past commitments. Because of a strong sense of honer and duty he feels his one true chance is lost forever. He trods through life now questioning and regretting who he is. Knowing inside he will have to accept the pain and sorrow as his rather than cause that pain and sorrow for others. I think songs like this can mean what you want or need them to mean.

    Manfred33on July 02, 2013   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This is about a guy who lost his chance at something big, sounds like love to me but that's up for debate. He's regretting all the decisions that led him to this point and looking back to see where he went wrong,

    I realize Pink Floyd wasn't the same after Roger Waters left, but this album is seriously underrated. It lacks the weirdness and critical weight of some of the better Floyd albums but I think Gilmour and friends still did a great job and deserve a little more credit than people are giving them

    Alice_in_Soundweezeron September 25, 2017   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    'Haunted by the memories of a lost paradise.' Let's see what we can do as the human race to prevent these potentialy prophetic words.

    A few of the words above are due a re-wording. Demau can probably edit just a wee bit. Dogs of War is ahead of this on the album. I hope it's not that way in the future. All the tracks were read in order on alternate radio the week of,.........9 letters in Pink Floyd and 11 tracks of 1987's AMLOR.

    Great David Gilmour and his guitar's magic wonders!

    Malaria_Kiddon March 30, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    lost my love, lost my life, not much left to live for except a meaningless existence of sorts which is mandatory...good thing there is this song...or id be down to zero...not far from it anyways.

    gofigure000on September 09, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    an amaing intro.

    oigreson June 21, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I believe this song is about realizing your going to die its an incredible song, haunting beutifull.

    jefrotullon March 03, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Gilmour usually writes the words after he gets the music, but he did it the other way with this song. At least that's what I've been told.

    Nick the Bastardon February 21, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I first heard this song on the day that Syd Barret died!

    Grind838on July 15, 2006   Link

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