Army Dreamers
Kate Bush Lyrics

B.F.P.O.
Refers to the British Forces Post Office, the postal system used by the UK Ministry of Defence for delivering mail to service personnel and their families.

Army dreamers
Refers to the people who dreamed of joining the army and serving their country, but whose dreams were cut short by death, injury or other factors.

Mammy's hero
Refers to the soldiers who were seen as heroes by their mothers, who were proud of their sons' service to the country but also deeply hurt by their loss.

Our little army boy
Refers to a young soldier who has completed his service and is returning home to his family.

Is coming home from B.F.P.O.
Refers to the soldier's return home from the British Forces Post Office, where he had been stationed during his service.

I've a bunch of purple flowers
Refers to the flowers the soldier's mother holds to give her son a welcome home present.

To decorate mammy's hero
Refers to the soldier who braves wars and comes back to his mother making him a hero in her eyes.

Mourning in the aerodrome
Refers to the scene of sorrow and grief at the airfield where the soldier's body is brought back in a coffin.

The weather warmer, he is colder
Refers to the fact that despite the warmer temperature, the soldier's body is cold and unresponsive.

Four men in uniform
Refers to the soldiers who carried the fallen soldier's coffin to his final resting place.

To carry home my little soldier
Refers to the solemn and emotional moment where the soldier's mother watches as her little boy is being carried away one last time.

But he didn't have the money for a guitar
Refers to the fact that the soldier, like many young people, had dreams beyond the army but didn't have the financial means to pursue them.

But he never had a proper education
Refers to the fact that the soldier never had the chance to get a proper education and develop his talents beyond military training.

But he never even made it to his twenties
Refers to the tragedy of losing a young life at an early age, robbing the soldier of the chance to live a long and fulfilling life.

Tears o'er a tin box
Refers to the moment the soldier's mother finds the letters, medals, and other belongings her son left behind in a tin box.

Oh, Jesus Christ, he wasn't to know
Refers to the grieving mother who can't help but question why her son had to die so young.

Like a chicken with a fox
Refers to the soldier's vulnerability and powerlessness in the face of war, and how easily he can be taken down by the enemy.

He couldn't win the war with ego
Refers to the soldier's realization that ego, arrogance and overconfidence have no place in the harsh reality of war.

Give the kid the pick of pips
Refers to the practice of rewarding soldiers with rank insignia or promotion for their bravery and service.

And give him all your stripes and ribbons
Refers to the suggestion that the soldier would trade all the medals, ribbons and decorations he earned for his life back.

Now he's sitting in his hole
Refers to the soldier who is now lying in his grave or resting place, unable to enjoy the life he had before war.

He might as well have buttons and bows
Refers to the realization that the honor, rank, and recognition that the soldier received in the army are as meaningless as buttons and bows when compared to the cost of his life.

No hard heroes
Refers to the fact that no matter how brave or tough a soldier may be, he is still vulnerable, and that war takes a heavy toll on all involved.