Free Four

Album: Obscured By Clouds (1972)
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  • The memories of a man in his old age
    Are the deeds of a man in his prime.
    You shuffle in gloom of the sickroom
    And talk to yourself as you die.

    Life is a short, warm moment
    And death is a long cold rest.
    You get your chance to try in the twinkling of an eye:
    Eighty years, with luck, or even less.

    So all aboard for the American tour,
    And maybe you'll make it to the top.
    And mind how you go, and I can tell you, 'cause I know
    You may find it hard to get off.

    You are the angel of death
    And I am the dead man's son.
    And he was buried like a mole in a fox hole.
    And everyone is still in the run.

    And who is the master of fox hounds?
    And who says the hunt has begun?
    And who calls the tune in the courtroom?
    And who beats the funeral drum?

    The memories of a man in his old age
    Are the deeds of a man in his prime.
    You shuffle in gloom in the sickroom
    And talk to yourself till you die. Writer/s: ROGER WATERS
    Publisher: T.R.O. INC.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 12

  • Daved from Beaver Falls. Pa.I have always loved this song and now, I am 2 months from my 80th Birthday. I have Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and my clock is ticking. Thank you Roger and the guys for giving me a life of unforgettable music and memories!
  • Tim from New York CityI saw Pink Floyd on their Dark Side of the Moon tour when I was 18 years old, in Pittsburgh, June 19th, 1973. I’m old now, and so that lyric, “The memories of a man in his old age, are the deeds of a man in his prime,” has ever increasing meaning. I like “Obscured by Clouds” almost as much as “Dark Side” (maybe more). And yeah, this song and “Childhood’s End” are my favorite songs on the “Obscured by Clouds” album.
  • Darren from Auckland, New ZealandOne of those tunes you just can't get out of your head, and also one that you don't want to ever get out of your head! Love it, classic early Floyd.
  • Chloe from St. Louis, Mois it really twisted that this song makes me happy?
  • Thrill from Halifax, NsLove this song if for the only the fack that its a very catchy tune which they didn't strive for.. but here as already mentioned the song upbeat tone is a great contrast to the lyrics ..works great, my fav on this album though been a while since i've listened to Obscured
  • Madalyn from Greensburg, Pai love how the louds comes in one ear and radiated through my head and exits the other ear and i obsorb the whole sound...i wish they would have kept their original name the pink flotd sound...well they went thro a lot of names but thats a whole different story
  • Ryan from Plano, TxThis was probably the Floyd's second ever song to really deal with death and the like on such a personal level - "Corporal Clegg" being the first take on such serious subject matter.
  • Travis from Rocky Mount, NcThe bass organ slam Wright plays between lines is very similar to the one that can be faintly heard along with the bass/guitar licks during Mason's timpani solo in the intro to "Time" off Dark Side Of The Moon, a good example of Floyd's use of "signature" sounds throughout their albums.
  • Matt from Jericho, NyPink Floyd has the great ability to combine the most depressing lyrics with the most upbeat of tunes and that is what made them so unique in their early years. This is just one great example of extremely depressing lyrics with an upbeat fun loving tune
  • Robert from South Bend, InI would have to agree that Childhood's End is the best on Obscured by Clouds but this song is still quite good
  • Bob from Mt. Laurel, NjChildhood's End is definently the best song on Obscured By The Clouds.
  • James from Sudbury, Canadathis seems to be about roger waters dad (erik fletcher waters) dying "you are the angel of death and i am the dead mans son he was buried like a mole in a foxhole and everyone is still on the run who is the master of foxhounds and who sais the hunt has begun" and also who is responsible, two things he very much expressed on "the wall"
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