On a distant shore, miles from land
Stands the ebony totem in ebony sand
A dream in a mist of gray...
On a far distant shore...
A totem can be a plant or a symbol of something, in this case a symbol. The symbol is a dream lost in the sands and also out of reach on the shores.
The pebble that stood alone
And driftwood lies half buried
Warm shallow waters sweep shells
So the cockles shine...
Syd Barrett’s old self the him he wants to find is buried in the shore, and being hidden by bright shells.
A bare winding carcass, stark
Shimmers as flies scoop up meat, an empty way...
Dry tears...
his old self is dead (in Syd’s case probably from the fame) and everyone is pretty much picking apart what’s left of him.
Crisp flax squeaks tall reeds
Make a circle of gray in a summer way, around man
Stood on ground...
this is basically Syd wondering around the beach trying to find his way to his old self so that he can save it
I’m trying
I’m trying to find you!
To find you
I’m living, I’m giving,
To find you, to find you,
I’m living, I’m living,
I’m trying, I’m giving
He’s trying to find himself and that’s all that matters to himself.
On a distant shore, miles from land Stands the ebony totem in ebony sand A dream in a mist of gray... On a far distant shore...
The pebble that stood alone And driftwood lies half buried Warm shallow waters sweep shells So the cockles shine... Syd Barrett’s old self the him he wants to find is buried in the shore, and being hidden by bright shells.
A bare winding carcass, stark Shimmers as flies scoop up meat, an empty way... Dry tears...
Crisp flax squeaks tall reeds Make a circle of gray in a summer way, around man Stood on ground...
I’m trying I’m trying to find you! To find you I’m living, I’m giving, To find you, to find you, I’m living, I’m living, I’m trying, I’m giving
He’s trying to find himself and that’s all that matters to himself.