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Southampton Dock Lyrics
They disembarked in 45
and no one spoke and no one smiled
there were too many spaces in the line
gathered at the centaph
all agreed with the hand on heart
to sheath the sacrificial knifes
but now
she stands upon southampton dock
with her handkerchief
and her summer frock clings
to her wet body in the rain
in quiet desperation knuckles
white upon the slippery reins
she bravely waves the boys goodbye again
and still the dark stain spreads between
his shoulder blades
a mute reminder of the poppy fields and graves
and when the fight was over
we spent what they had made
but in the bottom of our hearts
we felt the final cut
and no one spoke and no one smiled
there were too many spaces in the line
gathered at the centaph
all agreed with the hand on heart
to sheath the sacrificial knifes
but now
with her handkerchief
and her summer frock clings
to her wet body in the rain
in quiet desperation knuckles
white upon the slippery reins
she bravely waves the boys goodbye again
his shoulder blades
a mute reminder of the poppy fields and graves
and when the fight was over
we spent what they had made
but in the bottom of our hearts
we felt the final cut
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From what I understand, this song, in its entirity, is about how the Western Powers, particularly the U.S. and the U.K., squandered the peace and prosperity that the soldiers of World War II - like Eric Fletcher Waters - fought and died to achieve for future generations.
The first stanza is about the bittersweet return of British soldiers to London, "gathering at the Cenotaph" (the memorial to the Glorious Dead in the middle of town) and agreeing to "sheath the sacrificial knives" (ie: never take up arms again).
The second stanza is a severe indictment of Margaret Thatcher, holding her accountable for the breaking of this sacred trust forged between the noble generation that sacrificed their lives to fight Fascism, and our own, by "waving the boys goodbye again" as they go to fight to retain the Falklands for Queen and Country.
Her condition of "quiet desperation / knuckles white upon the slippery reins" (ie: reins of power) evokes an image of a Chief Executive willing to go to war and sacrifice many lives and many billions of dollars in order to keep in power.
Ah, but I do not think it is Thatcher that is in "quiet desperation" - it is Britannia. Thatcher would not be desperate, it was something she was looking forward to.
Ah, but I do not think it is Thatcher that is in "quiet desperation" - it is Britannia. Thatcher would not be desperate, it was something she was looking forward to.
It all makes sense, Antedeus seems to get it. But saying she's in "quiet desperation" (referencing the dark side of the moon lyric) makes her seem like a more sympathetic figure. Could just be an innocent women whose witnessed too many wars. Does anyone know what the meaning of "and still the dark stain spreads between his shoulder blades" is?
"and still the dark stain spreads between his shoulder blades" is figurative: the blood stain that comes from being stabbed in the back. Another reference to the betrayal of those who served in WWII only to have the dream of a better, more peaceful world, betrayed by neo-cons like Thatcher. The cover art for the album included a photograph of a British soldier (in what appears to be a WWII-era uniform) standing at attention with a knife in his back. Click the last thumbnail here to see: http://www.megapinkfloyd.com/overview-the-final-cut.asp
"and still the dark stain spreads between his shoulder blades" is figurative: the blood stain that comes from being stabbed in the back. Another reference to the betrayal of those who served in WWII only to have the dream of a better, more peaceful world, betrayed by neo-cons like Thatcher. The cover art for the album included a photograph of a British soldier (in what appears to be a WWII-era uniform) standing at attention with a knife in his back. Click the last thumbnail here to see: http://www.megapinkfloyd.com/overview-the-final-cut.asp
I always assumed "and still the dark stain spreads between his shoulder blades" was blood spreading out on the back of somebody shot in the chest in battle. A loved one not coming home to that young woman standing on a dock waiting for his return.
I always assumed "and still the dark stain spreads between his shoulder blades" was blood spreading out on the back of somebody shot in the chest in battle. A loved one not coming home to that young woman standing on a dock waiting for his return.
The "dark stain" line is an allusion to blood soaking through clothes after the man in the song has been stabbed in the back - mainly metaphorically, but possibly literally too. Waters is saying that the soldiers have been betrayed (stabbed in the back) by the leaders who should have found an alternative to sending them off to die.
The "dark stain" line is an allusion to blood soaking through clothes after the man in the song has been stabbed in the back - mainly metaphorically, but possibly literally too. Waters is saying that the soldiers have been betrayed (stabbed in the back) by the leaders who should have found an alternative to sending them off to die.
If you look at the original album artwork, there is a direct reference to this line - you can see a soldier standing up, with his back facing us, and a knife sticking out between his shoulder blades.
If you look at the original album artwork, there is a direct reference to this line - you can see a soldier standing up, with his back facing us, and a knife sticking out between his shoulder blades.
In agreement with Antedeus on the meaning behind the song. One had a question of what "still the dark stain spreads between his shoulder blades" meant. My thought is that if you look at the next line it makes it more obvious. The dark stain could be blood from carrying the dead on their shoulders before they bury them. It is also a possibility that is sweat from having to dig the graves. In accordance with Antedeus' definition of the song, the line says "still" which means even though they didn't want to fight and didn't want to bear witness to anymore dying, they are still having to carry or bury their dead.
about sending a loved boy/husband off to war... the woman/family is not willing for them to leave but has to do their duty helping and giving their part to the war.. this album is a very TOUCHING album... one of PINK FLOYDS greatests!
At least someone (Antedeus) seems to know what they're talking about.
yep. im pretty sure Antedeus knows whats going on.
Anyway, its a great song
i think this song is ok, fits the theme of the Final Cut well but not my favorite off the album, Wouldnt say it has the worst vocals though. Id give it a 7/10...meh!
ithis song gives me goosebumps
The live version that Roger does on In the Flesh is so anthemic. Better than the studio one by far.
1:08
Gives Me GOOSEBUMPS!!!!
It touches me so mush for some reason. Dunno why...