Sorrow

Pink Floyd's 'Sorrow' is a poignant exploration of loss and the emotional aftermath of a paradise that has slipped away. The lyrics paint a picture of a landscape burdened by grief, where the physical environment reflects the internal turmoil of the protagonist. The opening lines set a somber tone, with the 'sweet smell of a great sorrow' enveloping the land, suggesting a collective mourning or a personal tragedy that affects the surroundings.

The central character of the song is a man trapped in a cycle of reminiscence and disillusionment. He dreams of idyllic pastures and rivers, symbols of peace and purity, but wakes to a reality devoid of purpose. This contrast between the dream world and the waking world highlights the man's yearning for an irretrievable past and his inability to reconcile with the present. The phrase 'It's not enough' emphasizes the insufficiency of the present in filling the void left by lost dreams and opportunities.

The song also delves into themes of existential despair and the passage of time. The river, a recurring motif in the lyrics, represents life's continuous flow and the inevitability of change. The man's conversation with the river about 'lost love and dedication' and the river's 'swirl invitation' to a dark sea may symbolize the man's contemplation of mortality and the futility of fighting against life's current. The closing lines, with the 'unceasing wind' and 'dust in my eyes,' suggest a sense of resignation and the acceptance of broken promises as an inherent part of the human experience.