I can't describe the feeling when

I'm in my bed asleep and then
I wake up with a vision blurred
And all my efforts are deterred
To reconstruct this image lost

There're certain things my mind must do
And even though they're very few
The image glistens like a gem

Repairing is not one of them
So I'm awake though in my mind
The image that's so unrefined
Is calling to me from the deep
And tempting me to fall asleep


Lyrics submitted by Phishhead420

Sleep Lyrics as written by Trey Anastasio Tom Marshall

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Sleep song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    This is an amazing song written by Tom Marshall. The song is about waking up in the night while dreaming, and trying to hold on to that dream while you are awake. Great lyrics in my opinion

    Phishhead420on May 13, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is about being in the state of mind right before you fall asleep. Often you'll have an idea that your mind will wrap around. For whatever reason the singer woke up and lost it; however it returns and he falls asleep.

    bkabbotton October 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Hear me out

    This song is about society's expectations

    Sleep is a metaphor

    To be brief all metaphors are describing societal expectations

    I know y'all are smart enough to figure it out

    In the end society wins

    Long Live Tom. Fuck Trey (just kidding I play guitar).

    bkabbotton February 23, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I'm a douche

    I took an AP English class

    The teacher told us there was a literal and an abstract interpretations

    The Trey (literal) interpretation is one

    The abstract is the meaning I hope Tom intended haha

    bkabbotton February 23, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    One more observation. I think the image tempting to fall asleep is basically reinforcing the society metaphor. Falling asleep being a metaphor.

    That's what I get out of it and that's why I like this site.

    bkabbotton March 01, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Obviously I was shit faced drunk.

    Well guys I finally did it, I'm on this site and I'm not drinking alcohol.

    To clarify - I'm a 26 year old college student. I'm growing up slowly. That's probably why I got that out of this site.

    I actually think I've been more irresponsible lately, which is a good thing. Hopefully I never grow up. I'll let someone else comment - this song should have more - Tom is a great lyricist. Very unrecognized.

    bkabbotton October 18, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Another comment - Tom is a fucking genius. Trey wouldn't work with him if he wasn't.

    Like I said I was in AP English and one of our cooler assignments was Beatles lyrics.

    This should be added. Kids could learn from it interpret the abstract meaning.

    I came off a regular klonopin dose and had severe depression and listened to dirt.

    I didn't post a comment but what I realized was Tom rarely gets credit for his work.

    bkabbotton May 12, 2014   Link

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