The Hero's Return
Pink Floyd Lyrics


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Jesus, Jesus, what's it all about?
Trying to clout these little ingrates into shape
When I was their age, all the lights went out
There was no time to whine and mope about
And even now part of me flies over Dresden at angels one five
Though they'll never fathom it behind my sarcasm
Desperate memories lie
Sweetheart, sweetheart, are you fast asleep? Good
That's the only time that I can really speak to you
There is something that I've locked away
A memory that is too painful
To withstand the light of day

When we came back from the war
The banners and flags hung on everyone's door
We danced and we sang in the street
And the church bells rang
But burning in my heart




The memory smolders on
Of the gunner's dying words on the intercom

Overall Meaning

In The Hero's Return by Pink Floyd, the opening lines are sung from the perspective of a veteran soldier, Jesus. He is trying to discipline and teach the younger generation, who are ingrates and don't seem to understand the struggles and sacrifices of the previous generation. Jesus is reminiscing about his own youth when he witnessed the horrors of war, the lights went out, and there was no time to complain. He is haunted by the desperate memories of his past, which are hidden behind his sarcastic tones, and he feels that his experiences will never be fully understood by younger generations.


The second half of the song shifts to a more personal perspective. The singer addresses his sweetheart, who is fast asleep, and reveals that he has locked away a painful memory that cannot withstand the light of day. He recalls a time after the war when they returned home and celebrated with singing and dancing in the streets. However, he cannot forget the gunner's dying words on the intercom, which still smolder in his heart.


The Hero's Return is a commentary on the psychological impact of war on individuals and societies. The haunting memories and trauma of war are difficult to overcome, and veterans often struggle to communicate their experiences to those who haven't experienced them. The song is a reminder of the sacrifices made by previous generations and the importance of understanding and honoring those sacrifices.


Line by Line Meaning

Jesus, Jesus, what's it all about?
The singer is questioning the meaning of everything.


Trying to clout these little ingrates into shape
The singer is struggling to discipline unappreciative youth.


When I was their age, all the lights went out
The singer is reflecting on a time when things were much darker and harder.


There was no time to whine and mope about
The artist believes there is no time for complaining and being sad.


And even now part of me flies over Dresden at angels one five
The artist still remembers and is emotionally attached to a particular moment.


Though they'll never fathom it behind my sarcasm
The singer believes others will never fully understand them due to their use of sarcasm.


Desperate memories lie
The singer has painful memories that they can't forget.


Sweetheart, sweetheart, are you fast asleep? Good
The artist is checking if someone is asleep so they can speak candidly.


That's the only time that I can really speak to you
The artist can only tell a difficult truth in the dead of night.


There is something that I've locked away
The artist is hiding something painful away.


A memory that is too painful
The singer is still suffering from an especially painful memory.


To withstand the light of day
The artist can only bear to think about this memory in the darkness.


When we came back from the war
The singer is recalling their return from a past war.


The banners and flags hung on everyone's door
There was a celebration and sense of pride when the war ended.


We danced and we sang in the street
The town came together to celebrate a triumphant victory.


And the church bells rang
The church celebrated and showed their support.


But burning in my heart
Despite the happy memories, the artist has a burning anger.


The memory smolders on
This memory is still as painful as the day it happened.


Of the gunner's dying words on the intercom
The singer has one specific traumatic memory that still affects them deeply.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: George Roger Waters

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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