Southhapton Dock and The Final Cut

Southampton Dock


They disembarked in '45
And no one spoke and no one smiled
There were too many spaces in the line

And gathered at the cenotaph
All agreed with hand on heart
To sheath the sacrificial knives

But now --

She stands upon, Southampton Dock,
With her handkerchief, and her summer frock,
Clings to her wet body in the rain.

In quiet desperation knuckles white upon the slippery reins,
She bravely waves the boys goodbye again.


And still the dark stain spreads between, their shoulder blades
A mute, reminder, of the poppy fields and graves.

When the fight was over, we spent what they had made.
But... in the bottom of our hearts we felt the final cut.

The Final Cut


Through the fish-eyed lenses of tear-stained eyes,
I can barely define the shape of this moment in time
And far from flying high in clear blue skies
I'm spiraling down, to the hole in the ground, where I hide
[Two dog barks]

If you negotiate, the minefield in the drive
And beat the dogs, and cheat the cold, electronic eyes
And if you make past the shotguns in the hall..
Dial the combination..
Open the priesthole..
And if I'm in, I'll tell you.. <SHOTGUN BURST>
[album lyrics say "..what's behind the wall"]

***

There's a kid who had a big hallucination
Making love to girls in magazines
He wonders if you're sleeping with your new-found faith
Could anybody love him, or is it just a crazy dream?

***

And if I, show you my dark side,
Will you still hold me, tonight?

And if I, open my heart to you,
And show you my weak side,
What would, you do?

Would you sell your story to Rolling Stone?
Would you take the children away,
And leave me alone?
And smile in reassurance as you whisper down the phone?

Would you send me packing?...

...or would you take hoooooooooooome?

***

Thought I outta bear my naked feelings!

Thought I outta tear the curtain down!

I held the blade, in trembling hands..
Prepared to make it,  but --

Just then the phone rang...

I never had the nerve to make the final cut..



Complete Lyrics to The Final Cut

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