Why do we cry when you know how the story ends?
How can you laugh when you know that it hurts your friends?
We've all been there once but you never left
This is me coming back back to get you out
To say goodbye to make amends
I'm not leaving this place
Unless I'm leaving with you
You're the only person with a half decent heart here
And I know you will put it to use
Until it's gone, gone, gone
Gone, gone, gone
Gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, yeah

Na, na, na

And you close your eyes for the big sleep
I hope you think of me

Na, na, na

And if you go, I'll be gone
And you'll be left alone to live your life, as you please
But someday you'll agree that I was always meant for you
You were always meant for me and you will see: that you're impossible
You're impossible

Me and Mr. Dylan on the ride home
We had a heart to heart about life
But neither him or me could decide for ourselves if we wanted to outlive that night
Like two children on the playground of the unconfessed souls
Abandoned by our mothers and our lovers and our foes
If only we were brave enough to live the lives we stole
What a wonderful world this could be!

Na, na, na

And you close your eyes for the big sleep
I hope you think of me

Na, na, na

And if you go, I'll be gone
And you'll be left alone to live your life, as you please
But someday you'll agree that I was always meant for you
You were always meant for me and you will see: that you're impossible
You're impossible

So how many more examples until we break?
How many sacrifices must we make?
Because we've all been there once before
And it looks like we've returned once more
Is this the beginning or the end?

The last two soldiers on the battlefield
Survivors of the war
They aim at one another while their mothers beg the lord
"if you're listening, I'm missing him
So somehow bring him home
How did it come to this?"
So the soldiers lift their rifles
They're aiming at the head
They think of their first love before they take their final breaths
And some where in the distance they hear something someone said: "how did it come to this?"

And as you close your eyes for the big sleep
I hope you think of me, yeah

Na, na, na

And you close your eyes for the big sleep
I hope you think of me

Na, na, na


Lyrics submitted by SlapsterMcFlash

The Big Sleep Lyrics as written by

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

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The Big Sleep song meanings
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48 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    Everybody loves a different part, this is the type of song that is just beautiful because no matter who you are you find a way to relate to some part, and everything fits so well... so beautiful.

    ChrisWojon October 08, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    THIS SONG IS BRILLIANT! Tomas's lyrics at their absolute best so much passion..... i passed this song off as an anti-war song for an english assignment just recently and got full marks for it hahahaha (this of course is a load of bull, because although there may be anti-war sentiments in this song, any streetlight manifesto fan knows better than to take their lyrics at face value) I think the beauty of this song is that, like many of tomas's songs, everyone can relate to some part of the song, because his phenomonally lyrical writing style can touch everyone in a different way. In addition to what abnormallity said- all of tomas lyrics should be tacked OVER the mona lisa, and all the other art in the lourve, most of which is nothing compard to this song. Man i hop they tour in Australia after they finish their new album- i would kill th ntire population of my country to see them live

    holmeiseon December 27, 2006   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    Me and Mr. Dylan on the ride home We had a heart to heart about life But neither him or me could decide for ourselves if we wanted to outlive that night

    This makes me picture someone driving home listening to Bob Dylan and contemplating why life is worth living, why we are even here. I don't really feel it's referring to someone contemplating suicide, more like not caring if life goes on because they don't see the point.

    Such a great song, but this is my favorite line.

    P4R4DIGMon May 28, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    such a good song!!! how did it come to this? this is the question that will never find his anwser

    bob3lbon April 16, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    amazing lyrics - such passion

    cincy_punkon April 22, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love the end of this song. Straight Up emotion. I want to hear BOTAR do it. Imagine what this would sound like with random piano and violins? Drools

    AskTheMagic8Ballon April 23, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    the last two soldiers on the battlefield survivors of the war they aim at one another while their mothers beg the lord "if you're listening, i'm missing him so somehow bring him home how did it come to this?" so the soldiers lift their rifles they're aiming at the head they think of their first love before they take their final breaths and some where in the distance they hear something someone said: "how did it come to this?"

    I LOVE that part

    also streetlight manifesto owns all your faces!

    Bigpapakyle1on April 28, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "me and mr. dylan on the ride home we had a heart to heart about life but neither him or me could decide for ourselves if we wanted to outlive that night"

    amazing lyrics

    SockMonkeyRioton September 26, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    elquently put Chris. i really just love the whole song...the whole album really...its amazing.

    tomscahillIVon October 10, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Anybody else notice the violin (I think?) early in the song? I'd heard it a million times, but only really noticed it a few months ago. It's pretty quiet. It's most audible on the line "gone, gone, gone..."

    stevenlelandon December 01, 2004   Link

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