They disembarked in 45
And no-one spoke and no-one smiled
There were to many spaces in the line.
Gathered at the cenotaph
All agreed with the hand on heart
To sheath the sacrificial Knifes.
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
His shoulder blades.
A mute reminder of the poppy fields and graves.
And when the fight was over
We spent what they had made.
But in the bottom of our hearts
We felt the final cut.



Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae

Track duration: 02:16

"Southampton Dock" as written by Roger Waters

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

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Southampton Dock song meanings
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13 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:The Final Cut is a lyrical masterpiece. And I will concede, Not Now John seemed a right album waster for many years, but you'll eventually get it if you listen to the whole album for long enough :). A masterful, moving and beautiful song.
    Read more at songmeanings.net/songs/view/2891/
    Flag Noamchomskyon November 11, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:In agreement with Antedeus on the meaning behind the song. One had a question of what "still the dark stain spreads between his shoulder blades" meant. My thought is that if you look at the next line it makes it more obvious. The dark stain could be blood from carrying the dead on their shoulders before they bury them. It is also a possibility that is sweat from having to dig the graves. In accordance with Antedeus' definition of the song, the line says "still" which means even though they didn't want to fight and didn't want to bear witness to anymore dying, they are still having to carry or bury their dead.
    Flag mstrube23on October 19, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is a powerful thougtful anti-war tune and overall a post-war-dream of a sane and human world performed in a nice, laid-back way. It´s beautifully done yet powerful in its complex simplicity. I love the drums that makes it sound march-like, its a blunt and razor-sharp statement against war and against those who opress others. It´s just so great and emotional.
    I must say that I love the whole of the T.F.C album, it´s so incredible, somewhere in these realms I saw someone say that they thought this to be the best album of the 80´s, I must say I agree! The Final Cut holds the best songs of that era, and I hope no one has a heart attack when I add that I also see it as one of the best records of all times...
    I am about 30 years old, so not saying that I have heard "everything", but I think I´ve listened to a handsome number of songs in my days...and this is THE album for me.
    I am from Sweden, and there are a few nice troubadours and rock singers in our land who sing about love, hate, drugs, politics and so on. And there´s this one guy who mentions old Maggie in a song, he is singing in a song about a woman who sat in the Swed. governmnt only a while ago, and in the song calls her "Swedens own Maggie Thatcher"...
    However, that woman resigned just the other day and - in hinesight - wasn´t that much of a monster after all, however she was conservative and a proud member of the Swedish glitterati. So the guy wasn´t wrong in his lyrics, but now, after that one comes this new minister of economics that has recently grabbed hold of the slippery reins, and this lunatic would fit in better in the song - she said in an interwiew I read that she saw Margaret Thatcher as "a big leader, a role model and a great woman"...
    That´s kind of scary I must say.
    But then again, what happened to the post-war dream of sane rulers?
    And I can´t help but think that our possible pasts lie in tatters and rags...
    Sorry for the long comment, will not write this much in every comment I make, I promise that...
    and thank you everyone that posted info and thoughts on the lyrics, I have learned much reading here.
    Thank you all. Peace...
    Flag Maninamacon October 01, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It all makes sense, Antedeus seems to get it. But saying she's in "quiet desperation" (referencing the dark side of the moon lyric) makes her seem like a more sympathetic figure. Could just be an innocent women whose witnessed too many wars.
    Does anyone know what the meaning of
    "and still the dark stain spreads between
    his shoulder blades" is?
    Flag LEFon October 27, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:1:08

    Gives Me GOOSEBUMPS!!!!

    It touches me so mush for some reason. Dunno why...
    Flag icy_bass_claron June 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The live version that Roger does on In the Flesh is so anthemic. Better than the studio one by far.
    Flag Masked Mouseon January 24, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:ithis song gives me goosebumps
    Flag sambennallickon January 16, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think this song is ok, fits the theme of the Final Cut well but not my favorite off the album, Wouldnt say it has the worst vocals though.
    Id give it a 7/10...meh!
    Flag *JoSIe*on September 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song competes with A New Machine for the worst vocals of any PF song. Easily the worst on the album (one of PF's worst, though not at all bad, which is saying something) except for Not Now John, which was just unnecessary.

    Antedeus understands the song.
    Flag inpraiseoffollyon May 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:yep. im pretty sure Antedeus knows whats going on.

    Anyway, its a great song
    Flag Crazy_Diamondon April 30, 2006   Link

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