Lyric discussion by McWatt 

Cover art for Maybe Sprout Wings lyrics by Mountain Goats, The

I think by 'bad dreams', he actually means good ones...dreams of things he wants, but can't have, so they shake him from sleep, and he desires to escape to them...maybe.

As for saying his friends' names three times, I think since he's looking in the mirror or reflective window at least, he's trying to summon them back to him...bring them into his presence, a la the bloody mary urban legend...maybe.

either way, awesome album...it's not as diverse as past albums, but it has this really dark/melancholy atmosphere surrounding it that i like a lot...