Meaning of "The Hero's Return" by Pink Floyd

"The Hero's Return" delves into the lasting effects of war on individuals, both during and after conflict. The lyrics capture the disillusionment and frustration experienced by someone who has served in a war and is now attempting to navigate a peaceful life. The repetition of "Jesus, Jesus, what's it all about?" suggests a sense of questioning or searching for meaning in the aftermath of war. The speaker reflects on the differences between their own experience and the perceived entitlement or ingratitude of younger generations. This dissatisfaction is emphasized through the line, "When I was their age all the lights went out," describing a time of adversity and hardship that the speaker believes younger generations are oblivious to. The mention of flying over Dresden at angels one five alludes to the speaker's connection to the past and possibly suggests that their memories of war are haunting or unresolved. The line "Sweetheart, sweetheart are you fast asleep?" hints at a desire for connection with a loved one, but also acknowledges the difficulty of truly communicating one's experiences and traumas. The mention of a locked-away painful memory further underscores the emotional burden the speaker carries. In the second part of the song, the lyrics continue to explore the speaker's own feelings of despair and isolation. The mention of being "training human cogs for the machine" suggests a criticism of society's tendency to treat individuals as mere components of a larger system. The final lines highlight the speaker's personal disappointment and the struggle to reconcile their expectations with the reality of returning home from war.