The Post War Dream

Lyrics:

[Car sound, switching on of car radio]
"...announced plans to build a nuclear fallout shelter at Peterborough
in Cambridgeshire..."
[phzzt! of returning]
"...three high court judges have cleared the way..."
[phzzt!]
"...It was announced today, that the replacement for the Atlantic
Conveyor the container ship lost in the Falklands conflict would be
built in Japan, a spokesman for..."
[phzzt!]
"...moving in. They say the third world countries, like Bolivia, which
produce the drug are suffering from rising violence...[fades]"

Tell me true, tell me why, was Jesus crucified
Is it for this that Daddy died?
Was it for you? Was it me?
Did I watch too much T.V.?
Is that a hint of accusation in your eyes?
If it wasn't for the nips
Being so good at building ships
The yards would still be open on the clyde.
And it can't be much fun for them
Beneath the rising sun
With all their kids committing suicide.
What have we done, Maggie what have we done?
What have we done to England?
Should we shout, should we scream
"What happened to the post war dream?"
Oh Maggie, Maggie what have we done?

"The Post War Dream" is the opening track on The Final Cut (1983), the twelfth studio album by the English rock band, Pink Floyd.

Intro

The song's intro features a car radio being tuned in and out of different stations and can be seen on the short film for The Final Cut.

"...a group of business men announced plans to build a nuclear fallout shelter at Peterborough in Cambridgeshire..."
[radio tuning]
"...three High Court judges have cleared the way..."
[radio tuning]
"...It was announced today, that the replacement for the Atlantic Conveyor the container ship lost in the Falklands Conflict would be built in Japan, a spokesman for..."
[radio tuning]
"...moving in. They say the Third World countries, like Bolivia, which produce the drug are suffering from rising violence..."

Composition

The song is 3 minutes in length and consists of many sound effects, such as row boats and screaming, typical of the album on which it was released. The music itself begins quietly with harmonium and Waters' hushed vocal, in addition to the sounds of certain orchestral instruments. This segues into a louder, more theatrical section dominated by electric guitars. During this particular section, Waters vocal is shouted, a definite contrast from his manner of singing during the previous part of the song.

The melody of the first part bears a strong resemblance to John Prine's 1971 song "Sam Stone", about a war veteran's tragic fate. Both songs share the same chord progression, instrumentation, and melody. They are even in the same key (F major).