The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
Michael Kamen; Pink Floyd; Bob Ezrin Lyrics
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When we grew up and went to school
There were certain teachers who would
Hurt the children any way they could
By pouring their derision
Upon anything we did
Exposing every weakness
But in the town it was well known
When they got home at night, their fat and
Psychopathic wives would thrash them
Within inches of their lives
The Happiest Days Of Our Lives by Pink Floyd highlights the brutalities of a child's school life. The song is about teachers who hurt children by ridiculing and teasing them mercilessly. The lyrics focus on how these teachers would break down a child's confidence by pointing out every weakness, no matter how carefully hidden it was. The song then takes a dark turn as it suggests that these teachers may be victims themselves. The final lines of the song state that these cruel teachers would go home to their "fat and psychopathic wives" who would beat them within an inch of their lives.
The song tells a powerful story of how the cycle of abuse continues. The lyrics suggest that those who are perpetrators of abuse are often victims themselves. This creates a vicious cycle of abuse that can be tough to escape from without help.
Line by Line Meaning
You! Yes, you! Stand still laddy
Attention! You over there! Stop moving!
When we grew up and went to school
As we became older and attended educational institutions
There were certain teachers who would
There existed some instructors who
Hurt the children any way they could
Inflicted harm upon the young scholars in any possible manner
By pouring their derision
By ridiculing and belittling
Upon anything we did
Anything we attempted to do
Exposing every weakness
Revealing every area of vulnerability
However carefully hidden by the kids
No matter how meticulously concealed by the children
But in the town it was well known
But throughout the community, it was widely recognized
When they got home at night, their fat and
That when these teachers returned home at night, their corpulent and
Psychopathic wives would thrash them
Pathologically deranged spouses would physically attack them
Within inches of their lives
With extreme brutality and potentially lethal force
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROGER WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind