WHEN THE TIGERS BROKE FREE.
by Roger Waters.

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when he asked that his men be withdrawn.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 beachhead 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 and all.
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 C.
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.

[notes]