Pink Floyd - The Gnome (1967)

Founded in 1965, this band was originally led by Syd Barrett, who guided the group toward their first taste of success in the late ‘60s through psychedelic rock. Shortly after the addition of bassist David Gilmour, Barrett’s deteriorating mental health led to him parting with the band. The remaining members went on to be one of the most commercially successful bands of all time, releasing timeless progressive rock albums such as The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977), and The Wall (1979).

This song comes from the group’s debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967), which was also the group’s only album released under Barrett’s direct leadership. Much like the other songs on the album, Barrett’s lyrics are very imaginative and the music is very psychedelic. If you’re only familiar with the group’s later progressive rock hits, this is nothing like you’d expect to hear.



Pink Floyd - The Gnome (1967)

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Lyrics:

I want to tell you a story
'bout a little man, if I can
A gnome named “Grimble Gromble”
And little gnomes stay in their homes
Eating, sleeping, drinking their wine

He wore a scarlet tunic
A blue-green hood; it looked quite good
He had a big adventure
Amidst the grass; fresh air at last
Wining, dining, biding his time

And then one day
“Hooray!”; another way for gnomes to say
“Ooh, my”

Look at the sky; look at the river
Isn't it good?
Look at the sky; look at the river
Isn't it good?

Winding, finding places to go

And then one day
“Hooray!”; another way for gnomes to say
“Ooh, my”

“Ooh, my”