Album: A Momentary Lapse Of Reason (1987)

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• 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 Writer/s: DAVE GILMOUR
  Publisher: CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 18

• Stephen Murray from OkeechobeeThis line comes from Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath". Fruit was burned in the field because of deflation.
• Jimbob's Projos from Flyover Country, UsaArt is subjective, and to Me... this song is about the sense of loss to my soul .. having killed both conscripted boys and professional soldiers like myself .... on a wholesale level ... having smelled that "sweet smell" (of rotting bodies) lying over the land and seen the "plumes of smoke rising to the leaden skies", this one hits me right in the heart...
• Rich from Bangor, Pathis song is clearly about the moment you find out that Santa Claus isn't real and your whole world collapses around you.
• Jm from Detroit@Jim and Rick: You can interpret the song the way you want to; but, check the facts before you post. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorrow_(Pink_Floyd_song) refers to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Steinbeck and his political views were quite close to communists. If you have evidence that Steinbeck was a right winger (Trumpster) or environmentalist, go ahead and edit their Wiki's to establish the facts for everybody.
• Jess from Indianawithout the lyric meaning this song simply reminds me of that point you get to when you are numb and you no longer give a s--t and you've already been so consumed with bitterness, anger, and rage for years that you quit putting up the fake facade of being ok. its the moment when you accept life blows and your miserable
• Steve J from Darkside Of The MoonWhere was the scenery footage taken for sorrow
• Tom from MaThis is a great song with many different interpretations depending on the listener. At my age it spurs memories of the past environment and the the realization of how much it has changed, how much has been lost, and where it is headed in the near future. Gilmore rocks!
• Dina from EgyptWonderful band, music, and lyrics.
• Jim from IlinoisFirst of all, Rick. This song has nothing to do with socialism or the leaders of the US. It is all about the destruction of our environment by the large corporations. "Plumes of smoke rise and merge into the leaden sky; A man lies and dreams of green fields and rivers". "Flow dark and troubled to an oily sea". "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." The entire song is about the total destruction of our environment and the dying Earth which will eventually kill us. It's an environmental anthem."
• Rick` from Leesburg, VaThe first line of this song, "The sweet smell of a great sorrow lies over the land, Plumes of smoke rise and merge into the leaden sky," is how many feel about the direction the United States is heading at this time. As our political leaders take us closer and closer to socialism many feel, the 'He's haunted by the memory of a lost paradise" and will the United States every be the bastion of Freedom and liberty that it has been in the past. I really like this song and it seems that it was written for this time.
  
• Oldpink from New Castle, InThis is easily the best dehydrated (post-Waters) Floyd song out there.
  I like how he used the arena and multiple microphone trick to give it that massive sound.
  Great song, great lyrics.
• Robert from Houston, TxThe guitar intro (played on a Steinberger GL) was recorded in a huge arena in LA, piped through a PA system and recorded by multiple mics - which gives it a cavernous tone. Gilmour has said repeatedly that he is anything but a purist and will use any trick available to get the best tone he can from his guitar.
• Michael from Oxford, -This song is particularly outstanding on the P*U*L*S*E DVD, where Nick Mason plays live drums rather than the machine used on the studio version. The most underrated rock drummer ever?
• Joe from Blooming, IlDavid Gilmour is simply a brillant composer. He makes a guitar cry for all of us.
• Michael from Oxford, EnglandIt's not often that Pink Floyd rock this hard!
  
  By the way, is that the infamous backwards wah-wah pedal effect (Echoes, Is There Anybody Out There?, Marooned) in the background again, starting around 4:56?
• Daferdaty from Leicester, Englandi love this song, i love pink floyd, they're fantastic, especailly Gilmour, the lyrics are so cool, and the guitar solo is mind blowing
• Anish from Pune, Indiadunno if anyone thinks the same way but this song can be compared to george orwell's "1984"... its got the same eery touch to it...abt the world which has lost its way bcoz of power hungry political parties...nd ordinary people hav lost their ability to think on their own...
  "...He's haunted by the memory of a lost paradise
  In his youth or a dream, he can't be precise..."
  u can understand these lines if u've read the book...(referring to doublethink)
  
• Rick from Mishawaka, InCool first one to leave a comment on Sorrow by Pink Floyd. First off they are my all time favorite band. Pink Floyd Rocks! Second, this song does follow a lot of the book but it still is the bomb. Never used to like it much but have really connected. Turn it up loud and enjoy!

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