Sleep
Sleep tonight
And may your dreams
Be realized
If the thundercloud
Passes rain
So let it rain
Rain down on him
Mmm
So let it be
Mmm
So let it be

Sleep
Sleep tonight
And may your dreams
Be realized
If the thundercloud
Passes rain
So let it rain
Let it rain
Rain on him


Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira

MLK Lyrics as written by Dave Evans Adam Clayton

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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MLK song meanings
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17 Comments

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  • +2
    My Interpretation
    Just curious--the lyrics for MLK on the official U2 website say, "So let it rain, let it rain Rain down on he," not 'on him.' You suppose that's a typo, or does it affect the syntax in some muted way? Also, the Macphisto site has it yet a different way: In the first stanza it's "So let it rain Rain down him," and in the second it's, "Let it rain Rain on him." To me, this change in syntax does change the meaning from a more general rain/cycle of life observation to a specific let MLK's ideals and qualities, his dream, rain down. Thoughts? Is there an official lyric?
    copperbeechon January 13, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    May your dreams be realized - about his famous ' I have a dream ' speech
    deathbearon May 30, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    MLK is brillant piece of work about Martin Luther King.
    yuri_sucupiraon November 27, 2001   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I love this song. What's great about it us the desicion to just keep it real simple. Bono singing a capella with synth, and basic chords added. Really awesome.
    U2aholicon September 27, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    MLK was a genius, but also brave for standing up and saying what needs to be heard everyday. I wish the Dream speach could be played daily nationwide. Either way, beautiful song and by FAR the Best album is Unforgettable Fire. Too many songs on here are pure heart and soul of U2. Can't wait to see them on this 2005 tour!
    dizmarkon November 19, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    A brilliant tribute to a brilliant man. dizmark, I agree totally that the the "I have a dream" speech should be played daily, just think how much better people would treat each other, if everybody started their day with those words still ringing in their ears...
    quiffpornon November 24, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song was originally chosen for the end sequence of the movie Donnie Darko but was then changed to Gary Jules' over of the Tears for Fears song Mad World
    myhotelyearon January 13, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This is so much different than all the other U2 songs. I really like it a lot, it's a very good bedtime song as well. I heard Bono comment on it in the Rolling Stone interview and he told a funny story about it. He said that he was in his car in front of the traffic lights when it was played on the radio. A lot of people where staring at him and he blushed terribly. Not because of the stares but because he thought his voice sounded like a girls voice! He said he sang the song to high.
    Anne Marieon February 10, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    this song is a perfect example to what music can do, and mean to a human being; yes it is about Martin Luther King but in my experience it is also about me when i am dead, this will be playing when i am dead and my son bono will sing along..
    stormbonoon January 07, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is about The King, yes, but not Martin Luther King. I think it has much deeper connotations than is at first obvious... it's only taken me 23 years to realise it! HA! "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes" - Marcel Proust.
    recalcitranton January 25, 2007   Link

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