Lost For Words – English Lyrics

• By: Pink Floyd
• Album: The Division Bell

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Pink Floyd's evocative "Lost For Words," a compelling progressive rock piece from 'The Division Bell.' This song offers a rich emotional landscape, often exploring themes of strained relationships and the search for forgiveness. Through its poignant lyrics, penned mostly by Polly Samson, and David Gilmour's signature acoustic melodies, it provides a unique opportunity to connect with profound human experiences and appreciate the nuanced artistry that makes Pink Floyd special. Understanding the English lyrics can unlock deeper insights into its layered meanings and the band's historical context.

[English]

I was spending my time in the doldrums

I was caught in a cauldron of hate

I felt persecuted and paralysed

I thought that everything else would just wait

...

While you are wasting your time on your enemies

Engulfed in a fever of spite

Beyond your tunnel vision, reality fades

Like shadows into the night

...

To martyr yourself to caution

Is not gonna help at all

'Cause there'll be no safety in numbers

When the right one walks out of the door

...

Can you see your days blighted by darkness?

Is it true, you beat your fists on the floor?

Stuck in a world of isolation

While the ivy grows over the door

So I open my door to my enemies

And I ask could we wipe the slate clean

But they tell me to please go fuck myself

You know you just can't win

...

Key Grammar Structures

• I was spending my time in the doldrums

  ➔ Past Continuous Tense

  ➔ The past continuous tense "was spending" is used to describe an ongoing action in the past. Here it shows the speaker was in a state of depression for a period of time.

• I was caught in a cauldron of hate

  ➔ Past Passive Voice

  ➔ The past passive voice "was caught" emphasizes the action done to the subject rather than what the subject did. Here it shows the speaker was trapped by circumstances beyond their control.

• While you are wasting your time on your enemies

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense

  ➔ The present continuous tense "are wasting" describes an action happening at the moment of speaking or a temporary situation. Here it criticizes someone for currently focusing on negative things.

• To martyr yourself to caution

  ➔ Infinitive of Purpose

  ➔ The infinitive "to martyr" expresses purpose or intention. Here it suggests sacrificing oneself for the sake of being cautious, which the next line says is not helpful.

• there'll be no safety in numbers

  ➔ Future with 'will' contraction

  ➔ The contracted future form "there'll be" (there will be) predicts a future situation. Here it states that being in a group won't provide protection when someone important leaves.

• Can you see your days blighted by darkness?

  ➔ Modal Verb 'Can' in a Question

  ➔ The modal verb "can" in a question asks about ability or possibility. Here it questions whether someone realizes their life is being negatively affected ("blighted by darkness").

• Stuck in a world of isolation

  ➔ Present Participle as Adjective

  ➔ The present participle "stuck" functions as an adjective describing a state of being trapped. Here it conveys the feeling of being trapped in isolation without explicitly using a complete sentence.

• And I ask could we wipe the slate clean

  ➔ Modal Verb 'Could' for Request

  ➔ The modal verb "could" is used to make a polite request or suggestion. Here it shows the speaker asking if it's possible to start fresh and resolve past conflicts ("wipe the slate clean").

• You know you just can't win

  ➔ Modal Verb 'Can't' for General Truth

  ➔ The modal verb "can't" expresses impossibility. Here it states a general truth or conclusion that some situations are unwinnable, conveying a sense of resignation or futility.