Pink Floyd — Grantchester Meadows
Album: UmmagummaAvg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 1345
Length: 7:26
Plays (last 30 days): 0
share
tweet
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 a 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 sunflakes
Settle on the ground
Basking in the sunshine
Of a by-gone afternoon
Bringing sounds of yesterday
Into this city room
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 sunflakes
Covering the ground
Basking in the sunshine
Of a by-gone afternoon
Bringing sounds of yesterday
Into my city room
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
A river of green is sliding
Unseen beneath the trees
Laughing as it passes
Through the endless summer
Making for the sea
This is not your domain
In the sky a bird was heard to cry
Misty morning whisperings
And gentle stirring sounds
Belied a 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 sunflakes
Settle on the ground
Basking in the sunshine
Of a by-gone afternoon
Bringing sounds of yesterday
Into this city room
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 sunflakes
Covering the ground
Basking in the sunshine
Of a by-gone afternoon
Bringing sounds of yesterday
Into my city room
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
A river of green is sliding
Unseen beneath the trees
Laughing as it passes
Through the endless summer
Making for the sea
Comments (140)add comment
5AM and the drugs have run out! This comes on and you can't be certain where the bird sounds are coming from!
Feldlerchen sind selten geworden, weil ihnen der Lebensraum genommen wird. Vielleicht kennen viele Hörer das nicht mehr: Faul auf dem Rücken auf einer großen Wiese liegen und den winzigen, ausdauernd singenden Vogel am Himmel suchen? Ein schönes Sommer-Gefühl.
Skylarks are getting seldom because of loosing their habitats. Perhaps the reason that many listeners don't know the luck, lying on your back on a large meadow and searching for the small singing bird in the sky? A nice summer feeling.
Skylarks are getting seldom because of loosing their habitats. Perhaps the reason that many listeners don't know the luck, lying on your back on a large meadow and searching for the small singing bird in the sky? A nice summer feeling.
for some reason the birds are way too loud in this mix for it to be super enjoyable to me.
Careful with that axe, Eugene and Set the Controls For the Heart of the Sun are also memorable tracks.
Best (worst?) memory of this album in high school was falling asleep with headphones on and waking up in near panic to the track "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving With a Pict".
Never do THAT again.
But I will have to fire up this intriguing album again on my new Marantz Cinema 50... and not sleep with the cans on!
Probably my lowest rated song of Pink Floyd on RP and I still have it at a "5", haha.
The more I hear PF the more I'm reminded of Jimi Hendrix's observation that they're boring.
Now that’s a very good album cover too!
balinor wrote:
Someone does stop the fly (or bee?) for sure.
The birds! The birds! Make them stop!!!
Someone does stop the fly (or bee?) for sure.
vanmas wrote:
They are threatened species I heard.
Still one of my favorites from The Pink Floyd! The birds... a lot of complaining over here... But this is what the skylark does! Never been in the field outside? On a summer day? With your love? I can hear it all day!
They are threatened species I heard.
thewiseking wrote:
When listening to it as part of the 'studio' half of Ummagumma - it leads into the splendidly eccentric track with initials longer than most titles (SSOSFAGTIACAGWAP) very well!
LLRP!!
how does this not suck?
When listening to it as part of the 'studio' half of Ummagumma - it leads into the splendidly eccentric track with initials longer than most titles (SSOSFAGTIACAGWAP) very well!
LLRP!!
thewiseking wrote:
Oh, not so wise king - take time out and enjoy this for what it is - a sunny afternoon in the English coutryside
how does this not suck?
Oh, not so wise king - take time out and enjoy this for what it is - a sunny afternoon in the English coutryside
Such a fun track - I think Alan Parsons was a young engineer on this - a true headphones track
how does this not suck?
this is the acid test for a stereo system. I love it!
I grew up in the thick of this age of music and I can't remember ever having heard this before. How is that possible? 'Course there's a LOT I don't remember, but still.... Anyway, the song's wonderful; 'idyllic' even.
And a sense of calm descended upon the room.
ch83575 wrote:
If I recall correctly the bird noise is actually a continuation of a bizarr tune about furry animals making noise in a cave... or something like that. My recollection is rather hazy.
Several species of small furry animals gathered together in a cave and grooving with a pict.. . 😉
If I recall correctly the bird noise is actually a continuation of a bizarr tune about furry animals making noise in a cave... or something like that. My recollection is rather hazy.
Several species of small furry animals gathered together in a cave and grooving with a pict.. . 😉
At our best friend's funeral this song was played at the beginning. Devastatingly impactful, revealing the full power of the music (and the birds). I'll never forget it as long as I live.
ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVOURITES, BEAUTIFUL
Takes me back..... to a good place. Thank you.
balinor wrote:
How on earth can we enjoy the bucolic nature of Grantchester Meadows without the birds?
The birds! The birds! Make them stop!!!
How on earth can we enjoy the bucolic nature of Grantchester Meadows without the birds?
klaasstap wrote:
It's a Skylark for sure. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-...
Does anyone know what birds we hear here?
It's a Skylark for sure. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-...
I can’t believe I’ve never heard this. The birds make it almost unlistenable. Poorly mixed
Nice song but way too long
You cut off the 'slap!'
One of those albums I got back in the hey-day of Columbia Records and RCA and one of the few Pink Floyd albums that I just never liked. Mind-boggling boring.
Always a great day when the sounds of yesterday in Grantchester Meadow play.
I know the song; I know the album. But when the song came on just now at low volume, I thought it was the Kinks.
klaasstap wrote:
I agree, skylark for sure, and perhaps a goose too, not sure if pink-footed or greylag, or even bean goose :-) TMI!
There are larks in a number of PF songs.
Kingfishers have a much higher pitched song/call. Not sure this is going to work.
Does anyone know what birds we hear here?
I agree, skylark for sure, and perhaps a goose too, not sure if pink-footed or greylag, or even bean goose :-) TMI!
There are larks in a number of PF songs.
Kingfishers have a much higher pitched song/call. Not sure this is going to work.
I love this song. I think it has elements that years later Roger will take again for many of his songs.
Wow. That is some horrible Floyd. Never thought I’d say that.
klaasstap wrote:
I will say this much: definitely not a kingfisher but maybe a lark.
Does anyone know what birds we hear here?
I will say this much: definitely not a kingfisher but maybe a lark.
Does anyone know what birds we hear here?
First album i ever bought and is now hanging in my office. Too scratchy to play!
balinor wrote:
The birds! The birds! Make them stop!!!
when listening with headphones, the insects in the end sounds very convincing 
The very 1st time I ever rated anything Sucko Barfo! And I love the Floyd!
DavidFromHouston wrote:
Exactly my thoughts ALSO!
Exactly my thoughts ALSO!
Laptopdog wrote:
Try opening the other ear, perhaps
It'd be nice to actually hear the song, but all I hear is the DAMN BIRDS!
Try opening the other ear, perhaps
It's fun to play this track for people who have never heard it before and see their reaction when you tell them that it's Pink Floyd.
Someone shoot them birds!
No Floyd fan, but this one does it for me. Especially the birds tweeting in a loop. Contribute to the tune's hypnotic quality.
Could do without the fly being smashed at the end, though. [Edit: Thank you for cutting it out, Bill!]
This is the only cut selected on RP, but there is really stoner stuff on this vinyl classic.
It'd be nice to actually hear the song, but all I hear is the DAMN BIRDS!
Baketown wrote:
Smoking? I would guess not. It would have been something much more engaging.
Do you think they were smoking something when made this album or what?
lol
lol
Smoking? I would guess not. It would have been something much more engaging.
This song reminds me of a time in High School in summer 1971 when some friends and I went for a walk down by a river and one of us had a cassette player and this song was playing as we walked along the towpath. Great memories!
Love it - birds, ducks and that infernal bee (or is it a blue-bottle!!) Best to listen through headphones!
kingart wrote:
Well, Hipgnosis did.
https://www.hipgnosiscovers.com/pinkfloyd.html
Aside from some stupendous music, the Floyd created consistently engaging cover art.
Well, Hipgnosis did.
https://www.hipgnosiscovers.com/pinkfloyd.html
kingart wrote:
Aside from some stupendous music, the Floyd created consistently engaging cover art.
Agreed.Aside from some stupendous music, the Floyd created consistently engaging cover art.
brings me up to so many memories of mystic experiences at places in nature and keep me awake to protect this today for the future
Do you think they were smoking something when made this album or what?
lol
lol
This is a welcome blast from the past! I remember with fondness the first time I lived "on my own" with a couple old HS classmates in a crappy 2 bedroom apartment, between my 20th and 22nd birthdays.
That's the period in my life when I started really getting into the "bad" things in the world (i.e. SEX, DRUGS & ROCKnROLL) - and of course the well known PF albums were a staple on our 100 disc Optimus CD changer. And thanks to Columbia House and BMG and their willingness to give me (and my roomies, and fictional characters from books, and even our pets) 10 CDs for $.01 (I think I only fulfilled the contract on this "deal" once...the one that was in my real name ;-) ) - anyways the point I'm making is that we were able to extend our CD collection by getting the lesser known PF albums (among 100s of others) - and my buddy was thrilled to get Ummagumma - I think we listened to it to "impress" our friends at how cool we were to listen to more than just DSOTM, WYWH, The Wall and Animals. Those were the days! Thanks to BillG for playing this track and reminding me of those early days when I got to spread my wings. LONG LIVE RP!!
Quick! Get Steven Wilson to remix this one. :-)
P.S. A Meadow Lark would not be as noisy and distracting as a Sky Lark.
P.S. A Meadow Lark would not be as noisy and distracting as a Sky Lark.
Look mummy, there's an aeroplane up in the sky.
Spinal Tap's early material
Wow - blast from the past. Wonderful memories of this album. Thanks!
And one helluva an album!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Has a special place in my heart. It's a 10, thank you Pink Floyd.
Still one of my favorites from The Pink Floyd! The birds... a lot of complaining over here... But this is what the skylark does! Never been in the field outside? On a summer day? With your love? I can hear it all day!
awesome!
ODAD wrote:
ODAD wrote:
Wren will it end ?
Actually, this is rother nice.
Actually, this is rother nice.
The birds! The birds! Make them stop!!!
Haven't heard this in a very long time...in fact, this the first time I heard it without being "altered"... interestingly nice
membeth wrote:
Exactly my thoughts.
Can't do it. I usually like Pink Floyd, but the birds are driving me bonkers.
Exactly my thoughts.
In that era, .give me Percy Edwards any day
Wren will it end ?
Actually, this is rother nice.
Actually, this is rother nice.
Can't do it. I usually like Pink Floyd, but the birds are driving me bonkers.
beautiful piece of music! Also love when RP plays great musical moments and there's a terrific coloradojohn mini-essay to enjoy, with little twinkling sparrows and bumble bees too!!!
Oh, wow, I haven't heard this in freakin' ages... Now I hear more clearly how much Roger was (still) imitating Syd's erratic breathy poetic vocal delivery and fairy-tale Nature imagery. The guitar and their overall folky sound is so restrained in this that it seems he hadn't really been willing to let David take them anywhere near their rock and roll pinnacle potential yet. I also think that Syd's influence was still pretty strong for them in his absence, for it hadn't then been long since he'd spaced himself right on out. After all, it was Syd's imagination, drive, and random fits of creative manic ambition that got them their first life-saving recording contract in the first place, so it wasn't a bad idea to follow the fantastical psychedelic hippy trippy pop formula he'd won them their first success with... Perhaps no one at the time shone as brightly, uniquely, or quirkily ingeniously as Syd, so his were hard shoes to fill indeed. While Roger is without a doubt a musical genius, I feel that the rest of them are, as well... I have therefore always felt rather sorry for David and Rick who had to try so hard to get along with him as he often overplayed his self-imposed hand of leadership. It seemed that Nick was the perfect percussionist to suit all of their talents; the results are some truly immortal jams that still and always speak to the ground of my Being.
Strangely enjoyable.
LPCity wrote:
But I'll bet you still remember quite a few things about the experience. Hanging around a campground in central Pennsylvania in the middle of the night is another appropriate venue (or not) for this sort of experience. We thought the bullfrogs were a bunch of elderly folks cackling and chattering through the night. Ummagumma may have contributed something to that..
If you happen to find yourself with your 3 best friends when you are in your early 20's, and you decide to road trip by eating a few mushrooms and drive around in Yellowstone National Park for a couple of days, Ummagumma is NOT the album that you want to be listening to while taking that journey.
But I'll bet you still remember quite a few things about the experience. Hanging around a campground in central Pennsylvania in the middle of the night is another appropriate venue (or not) for this sort of experience. We thought the bullfrogs were a bunch of elderly folks cackling and chattering through the night. Ummagumma may have contributed something to that..
stargazer1 wrote:
Haven't heard this in ages.
Now I want to hear 32 Small Furry Animals Grooving in a Cave with a Pict.
I always thought it was:
Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving With a Pict
Haven't heard this in ages.
Now I want to hear 32 Small Furry Animals Grooving in a Cave with a Pict.
I always thought it was:
Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving With a Pict
If you happen to find yourself with your 3 best friends when you are in your early 20's, and you decide to road trip by eating a few mushrooms and drive around in Yellowstone National Park for a couple of days, Ummagumma is NOT the album that you want to be listening to while taking that journey.
Love this song. One of Waters' first great tunes.
And what, exactly, would Gigi and Leslie Caron have to do with Pink Floyd? Thank heaven for little birds...
stargazer1 wrote:
Haven't heard this in ages.
Now I want to hear 32 Small Furry Animals Grooving in a Cave with a Pict.
More candidates for oddest, most eccentric or more avant garde song title than that one.
Haven't heard this in ages.
Now I want to hear 32 Small Furry Animals Grooving in a Cave with a Pict.
More candidates for oddest, most eccentric or more avant garde song title than that one.
Fell in love with this album in like 1970, So glad to hear it!
Reminds me of a lovely summer day at the Thames River between Windsor and Eton...
Haven't heard this in ages.
Now I want to hear 32 Small Furry Animals Grooving in a Cave with a Pict.
curious indeed... 
Soooo glad to be tuned in for this one. It has been forever since I heard it.
Instantly transported to endless sunny summer days...
Instantly transported to endless sunny summer days...
hayduke2 wrote:
Indeed:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_Thorgerson
I've never heard this before, thank you! The cover art is cool too, perhaps it's a Storm Thorgerson piece...he just passed away 2 days ago
an artist worth looking into
an artist worth looking into
Indeed:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_Thorgerson
DrLex wrote:
I think it was more a matter of only having a tape loop of limited length.
Then again, real birds also often repeat and under normal circumstances I do not even notice, let alone care about an Eurasian Wren repeating the exact same sequence every seven seconds. All the times in the past when I was annoyed by this, I was ill or extremely stressed in some way. Just saying.
It sound to me like Roger Waters was using that loop as a novel sort of rhythm section. I have loved this piece since I first heard it in 1971, having been turned on to Ummagumma by a Dutch exchange student who was living with my family.
I think it was more a matter of only having a tape loop of limited length.
Then again, real birds also often repeat and under normal circumstances I do not even notice, let alone care about an Eurasian Wren repeating the exact same sequence every seven seconds. All the times in the past when I was annoyed by this, I was ill or extremely stressed in some way. Just saying.
It sound to me like Roger Waters was using that loop as a novel sort of rhythm section. I have loved this piece since I first heard it in 1971, having been turned on to Ummagumma by a Dutch exchange student who was living with my family.
hayduke2 wrote:
dubberdan wrote:
I'm pretty sure that Storm did all the Floyd album covers. All fabulous pieces of art
The cover to Ummagumma was designed by the design company Hipgnosis, which consisted primarily of Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell.
I've never heard this before, thank you! The cover art is cool too, perhaps it's a Storm Thorgerson piece...he just passed away 2 days ago
an artist worth looking into
an artist worth looking into
dubberdan wrote:
I'm pretty sure that Storm did all the Floyd album covers. All fabulous pieces of art
The cover to Ummagumma was designed by the design company Hipgnosis, which consisted primarily of Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell.
This song is quite good, but Gilmour saved this album with his 3 piece The Narrow Way. The rest was just silly experimental jibjab that should not have been included in a PF album. Very surprised that Rick didn't contribute anything of significance, and Waters' other piece on this album is garbage. And Mason's piece....ugh.
hayduke2 wrote:
I'm pretty sure that Storm did all the Floyd album covers. All fabulous pieces of art
I've never heard this before, thank you! The cover art is cool too, perhaps it's a Storm Thorgerson piece...he just passed away 2 days ago
an artist worth looking into
an artist worth looking into
I'm pretty sure that Storm did all the Floyd album covers. All fabulous pieces of art
I think this is my all time favorite song of Pink Floyd.
Love it!
Thanks for playing!
Love it!
Thanks for playing!
I've never heard this before, thank you! The cover art is cool too, perhaps it's a Storm Thorgerson piece...he just passed away 2 days ago
an artist worth looking into
an artist worth looking into
oooresultooo wrote:
If I recall correctly the bird noise is actually a continuation of a bizarr tune about furry animals making noise in a cave... or something like that. My recollection is rather hazy.
STOP WITH THE STUPID BIRDS!!!!
If I recall correctly the bird noise is actually a continuation of a bizarr tune about furry animals making noise in a cave... or something like that. My recollection is rather hazy.
This is such an interesting album, but I wasn't quite ready for it when I was first introduced to it as a pre-teen. I do remember enjoying "Several Small Furry Animals Grooving with a Pict" (At least that's the title as I recall it.) We usually played it loudly on Halloween to freak out the neighbors.
Who cares about the birds....first time I've ever heard this, not their best for sure....still, no one complained about the fly at the end.
However, just got a good luck at the album art for the first time....outstanding.....
However, just got a good luck at the album art for the first time....outstanding.....
I'm getting twitchy!
So which one is Simon and which one is Garfunkle and which one is Pink?
thatch wrote:
Birds in nature do not frantically repeat like this, over and over. Surely this must have been mixed this way to annoy the listener.
I think it was more a matter of only having a tape loop of limited length.
Then again, real birds also often repeat and under normal circumstances I do not even notice, let alone care about an Eurasian Wren repeating the exact same sequence every seven seconds. All the times in the past when I was annoyed by this, I was ill or extremely stressed in some way. Just saying.
Birds in nature do not frantically repeat like this, over and over. Surely this must have been mixed this way to annoy the listener.
I think it was more a matter of only having a tape loop of limited length.
Then again, real birds also often repeat and under normal circumstances I do not even notice, let alone care about an Eurasian Wren repeating the exact same sequence every seven seconds. All the times in the past when I was annoyed by this, I was ill or extremely stressed in some way. Just saying.
Curious I should hear this now. I spent last Sunday putting together a list of vinyl I have and threw the whole thing up for sale on Kijiji. Not sold yet, tho, I've had a few offers, and I wonder if I should reconsider, especially since I threw in all the Grateful Dead LPs I said I'd never part with. In retrospect, hearing this now has convinced me I'm making the right decision.
A little too much meadow..
Christ, I'm relieved other people can hear the birds.
How can such a great band lay such a big egg?
oldsaxon wrote:
True dat
Contrived Hippy Shite (CHS)
I, for one, am glad they took a more political, social path...
I, for one, am glad they took a more political, social path...
True dat
Oh my, yes.
I loved hearing this today—-i like the words. In the context of the rest of Ummagumma it sounds perfect and I fell for it way back when.
Contrived Hippy Shite (CHS)
I, for one, am glad they took a more political, social path...
I, for one, am glad they took a more political, social path...
If people are bitching about birds, what would they say if Bill played Several Species Of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together In A Cave And Grooving With A Pict?
STOP WITH THE STUPID BIRDS!!!!
It might have been tolerable if they'd mixed the birds down a bit. As it is, it's nerve wrecking.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
mjfr wrote:
Birds in nature do not frantically repeat like this, over and over. Surely this must have been mixed this way to annoy the listener.
To really understand this song you need to have been to Grantchester Meadows during a rare perfect English summer. Or a wet summer. An English band singing about the spirit of England.
Birds in nature do not frantically repeat like this, over and over. Surely this must have been mixed this way to annoy the listener.
jyoull wrote:
Not with me. There are some of us out here, I'm sure, who really like this. Its appearance on this fearfully trippy album is perfect.
Agreed with apparnetly most everyone else.... this one is not worth passing forward to future generations. There are better ways to show those darn kids that there's more to Pink Floyd than Another Brick in the Wall.
Not with me. There are some of us out here, I'm sure, who really like this. Its appearance on this fearfully trippy album is perfect.
I like Pink Floyd. Love most of the stuff from Meddle to Final Cut. But this song reminds me of Spinal Tap.
Okay, throw stones. Go ahead.
Okay, throw stones. Go ahead.
To really understand this song you need to have been to Grantchester Meadows during a rare perfect English summer. Or a wet summer. An English band singing about the spirit of England.
figures...very funny, only if your AV is homo, sfo!
.
rubenbeagle wrote:
.
rubenbeagle wrote:
I was hoping my antivirus would filter stuff like this out..........
Oh ya. I think "Some saint who fell from the altar" in Paradise ......
Emphasize the inclusion of this song, so distant, but always present, which was closed about ten years (Sep 20, 2002), which makes us think that to include "new fashion" in airplay, much has to be left behind , and gems like "Grantchester Meadows" have to remain hidden ......
It is true that the day has only 24 hours, which at most can play 360 songs (small / medium duration). Even so, it allows some leeway to maintain contact with the great musical works, if there is will and imagination, I think. It's just an opinion.
P.S.- RP Website version 2.0 is misconfigured for mobile-phones (color background, images, text, wrong displayed). Please fix.
I was hoping my antivirus would filter stuff like this out..........
You must have had a very interesting high school experience!
edrickvb wrote:
edrickvb wrote:
Love this one - it used to be my wake up song in the mornings when I was in high school, followed by Leonard Cohen's Suzanne.
(8?» wrote:
Whoever mastered out the levels on this (probably Roger) should have been slapped.
At cube level volume I hear nothing but birds.
Whoever mastered out the levels on this (probably Roger) should have been slapped.
Was there a song playing? I couldn't hear anything beyond the bird chatter.
Agreed with apparnetly most everyone else.... this one is not worth passing forward to future generations. There are better ways to show those darn kids that there's more to Pink Floyd than Another Brick in the Wall.
Most beautiful and pleasant song from my favorite band!
Just love the lark that's singing the whole song in the background.
Thanks a lot for playing this!
Just love the lark that's singing the whole song in the background.
Thanks a lot for playing this!
TJS wrote:
Me too!
NO!!! Holy shit all those birds drive me crazy!!
Me too!
lily34 wrote:
Agreed!
one of the most annoying songs i've heard in a while!
Agreed!