The song is about a shell-shocked soldier who lost his leg in World War II. He is described as having a medal of “orange and red and blue”, which may be a reference to the Burma Star. It is the first mention of war in a Pink Floyd song, something that would become a common theme in Roger Waters' lyrics, Roger having lost his father thus in 1944.

“Corporal Clegg” explores the subject of war with a definite touch of satire and cynicism. This can be seen as rather lighter in tone than the Pink Floyd’s later tackling of the subject, though, despite the irony (Clegg “won” his wooden leg in the war) and darkness behind the lyrics. Indeed, among the cacophony of voices towards the end we hear an officer telling his one-legged man: “Clegg! Been meaning to speak to you. About that leg of yours! You’re excused parade from now on!” and members of the band actually corpsing in the chorus.

Out of all the songs in Pink Floyd’s expansive catalogue, “Corporal Clegg” is one of only three songs ever recorded with vocals from drummer Nick Mason (the other two being the non-album “Scream Thy Last Scream”, and 1971’s “One Of These Days”)