Grantchester Meadows Lyrics – Pink Floyd – Ummagumma

by Keith J · Published October 17, 2000 · Updated November 3, 2023

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Grantchester Meadows (Waters) 7:28

“Icy wind of night be gone this is not your domain”
In the sky a bird was heard to cry.
Misty morning whisperings and gentle stirring sounds
Belied the deathly silence that lay all around.

Hear the lark and harken to the barking of the dog fox
Gone to ground.
See the splashing of the kingfisher flashing to the water.
And a river of green is sliding unseen beneath the trees
Laughing as it passes through the endless summer
Making for the sea.

In the lazy water meadow I lay me down.
All around me golden sun flakes settle on the ground.
Basking in the sunshine of a bygone afternoon
Bringing sounds of yesterday into this city room.

Hear the lark harken to the barking of the dark fox
Gone to ground.
See the splashing of the kingfisher flashing to the water.
And a river of green is sliding unseen beneath the trees.

In the lazy water meadow I lay me down.
All around me golden sun flakes covering the ground.
Basking in the sunshine of a bygone afternoon
Bringing sounds of yesterday into this city room.

Hear the lark harken to the barking of the dark fox
Gone to ground.
See the splashing of the kingfisher flashing to the water.
And a river of green is sliding unseen beneath the trees,
Laughing as it passes through the endless summer making for the sea.

01. Astronomy Domine
02. Careful With That Axe Eugene
03. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
04. Saucerful Of Secrets
05. Sysyphus
06. Grantchester Meadows
07. Several Species Of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together…
08. Narrow Way
09. Grand Vizier’s Garden Party

About The Song

“Grantchester Meadows” is one of the more pastoral and acoustic tracks from Pink Floyd’s experimental double album “Ummagumma.” Written and performed by Roger Waters, the song paints a vivid soundscape that transports the listener to the serene and bucolic setting of the English countryside.

“Grantchester Meadows” is a tranquil acoustic number from Pink Floyd that stands out for its simplicity and naturalistic imagery. Roger Waters’ gentle guitar work and soft vocals guide the listener through the picturesque landscape of Grantchester, a village near Cambridge, England.

The song is a celebration of the English countryside’s beauty, complete with auditory details like the singing of birds and the buzzing of insects, which are interwoven with the music to create an immersive experience. Waters’ narrative lyrics deliver vivid imagery of idyllic scenes – a river, a swan, the changing of the seasons – inviting reflection on the peacefulness of nature amidst the often chaotic modern life.

The inclusion of sound effects from nature supports the themes of simplicity and return to the roots, which are central to the song. “Grantchester Meadows” is a piece that captures the essence of a moment in time, where the connection to the natural world is both grounding and profound.