When the Tigers Broke Free

Pink Floyd

About When the Tigers Broke Free

"When the Tigers Broke Free" is a Pink Floyd song by Roger Waters, describing the death of his father, Eric Fletcher Waters, in the Battle of Anzio (codenamed Operation Shingle) during the Italian Campaign of the Second World War.


Year:
1983
3:15
24 
#2

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

It was just before dawn
One miserable morning in black 'forty four
When the forward commander
Was told to sit tight

When he asked that his men be withdrawn
And the Generals gave thanks
As the other ranks held back
The enemy tanks for a while

And the Anzio bridgehead
Was held for the price
Of a few hundred ordinary lives

And kind old King George
Sent mother a note
When he heard that father was gone

It was, I recall
In the form of a scroll
With gold leaf adorned
And I found it one day
In a drawer of old photographs, hidden away

And my eyes still grow damp to remember
His Majesty signed
With his own rubber stamp
It was dark all around
There was frost in the ground
When the tigers broke free
And no one survived
From the Royal Fusiliers Company Z

They were all left behind
Most of them dead
The rest of them dying
And that's how the High Command
Took my daddy from me

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd were an English rock band formed in London. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. more »

59 fans

Written by: ROGER WATERS

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Creation
"When the Tigers Broke Free" is a song by the British progressive rock band Pink Floyd, written and sung by Roger Waters.
Release Timeline
The song was originally released in July 1982.
Soundtrack Significance
It was initially created for the feature film "Pink Floyd – The Wall," however, it was not included in the original album of the same name.
Re-Release
The song was later re-released as part of a reissue of the band’s 1983 album "The Final Cut".
Waters' Inspiration
The lyrics of "When the Tigers Broke Free" were inspired by the death of Roger Waters' father during World War II.
Chart Placement
The song peaked at number 39 in the UK Singles Chart.
Controversy
There was a disagreement between Roger Waters and his bandmates about including the song in "The Wall" album, leading to its initial exclusion.
Lyric Meaning
The "tigers" in the song refer to the German Tiger Tanks that killed Roger Waters' father.
Specific Detail
The song specifically mentions the Royal Fusiliers Company Z, which is the troop where Waters' father served.
Moving Tribute
The song is seen as a tribute to all those who lost their lives in the war. In particular, it's a deeply personal reflection from Waters on the loss of his father.

Discuss the When the Tigers Broke Free Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "When the Tigers Broke Free Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/33591853/Pink+Floyd/When+the+Tigers+Broke+Free>.

    Missing lyrics by Pink Floyd?

    Know any other songs by Pink Floyd? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    When the Tigers Broke Free

    223.2K
    1,724     81

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    How many times the word "Yummy" appears on Justin Biber's Yummy hit?
    A 18
    B 25
    C 32
    D 12

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Pink Floyd's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Pink Floyd tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!