The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Say your prayers, little one
Don't forget, my son
To include everyone
Tuck you in, warm within
Keep you free from sin
'Til the sandman, he comes
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Something's wrong, shut the light
Heavy thoughts tonight
And they aren't of Snow White
Dreams of war, dreams of liars
Dreams of dragon's fire
And of things that will bite, yeah
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Now I lay me down to sleep
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake
If I die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take
I pray the Lord my soul to take
Hush, little baby, don't say a word
And never mind that noise you heard
It's just the beasts under your bed
In your closet, in your head
Exit light
Enter night
Grain of sand
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land, yeah
Uh
Yeah, yeah
Yo, oh
We're off to never-never land
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Don't forget, my son
To include everyone
Tuck you in, warm within
Keep you free from sin
'Til the sandman, he comes
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Something's wrong, shut the light
Heavy thoughts tonight
And they aren't of Snow White
Dreams of war, dreams of liars
Dreams of dragon's fire
And of things that will bite, yeah
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Now I lay me down to sleep
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake
If I die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take
I pray the Lord my soul to take
Hush, little baby, don't say a word
And never mind that noise you heard
It's just the beasts under your bed
In your closet, in your head
Exit light
Enter night
Grain of sand
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land, yeah
Uh
Yeah, yeah
Yo, oh
We're off to never-never land
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land
Lyrics submitted by fennsk, edited by Saint Arkham, LKTraz, Ashram, LHGL, ratiodotdmg
Enter Sandman Lyrics as written by Kirk Hammett James Hatfield
Lyrics © Word Collections Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Yes this song is definitely about fears. Also it is about dreaming and how limitless we are in our dreams. And when we realize the limitlessness we expect the worse and develop fear.
I always thought this song was about fear and dreams/nightmares, and the fact that no amount of prayers you say will allow you to escape fear and be free from it.
Yes, I think it's representing our deepest fears represented by a kid having nightmares. Awesome song. 1st song I learned to play on the guitar.
one of the greatest intros ever with a phenomenal guitar solo
some people seem to claim this song is about suicide, but I beg to disagree. it's just a trip into the darkest part of a child's nightmare.
maddox86, how the hell can u say slipknot is a lot better than metallica, metallica will kik slipknots ass 1 million times over, slipknot sux!
here here!
where?
While it is true that Metallica could kick Slipknot's butt anytime they wanted to, I have to say that Slipknot is one of the best and most influential metal bands of all time. I also happen to think Joey Jordison of Slipknot is a much better drummer than Lars Ulrich. But don't get me wrong, Metallica is my favorite band ever, but never say Slipknot sucks.
Maybe both bands are really good! Lol! I love Metallica because I know their music and can connect to some songs. The way they play are awesome! Slipknot is good too, but I never really listened to them. It really doesn't matter, they both bring good music!!! They both are different bands!
This is an awesome and euphoric song, which (to me) talks about the nightmare that causes heroin usage. he also reinforces it saying he is not talking aboute coke: "...And they aren't of snow white". Heroin at first its very pleasent :"Tuck you in, warm within". But after, heroin alters his perception of reality: "Its just the beasts under your bed,in your closet, In your Head!":
" Exit: light, Enter: night, Take my hand, We're off to never never land" = heroin is presenting itself and carriying him away..<br /> Grain of sand = heroin.
@psyland Talk about grasping at straws, some people need to realise not all songs are about drugs. This song has never given me any indication it is about drugs, each to their I suppose. But Hetfield has explained it isn't about drugs, but fears.
hahaha....ecstasy....and other drugs you inject? oh that's funny....
I agree with maddox in a way..and dissagree in a way, Metallica is better than Slipknot, but Slipknot still owns..all u steriotypical bastards never ever heard slipknot I'll bet and all u think is that they scream and fight and shit..u are all a bunch of dumbas people
TheGame56, i dont know whether or not you'll ever look on this forum again, but members of the band have in fact done many drugs. I believe load and reload are proof enough. They talk about it in some kind of monster, though no one has commented since it came out.